Why have Vietnamese bananas "slipped past" Philippine bananas in the Japanese market?
Published 2025년 8월 11일
Tridge summary
According to Japan's trade statistics, banana imports from Vietnam last year surged to 33,000 tons - nearly 14 times the amount in 2019. Vietnam's market share increased from 0.2% to 3.2% of Japan's total banana imports.
Just last month, the volume of Vietnamese bananas reaching the Tokyo region doubled compared to the same period last year. Although still a small percentage of total imports, this could be a breakthrough compared to the volume of bananas imported from the Philippines, which previously held the majority.
"Vietnamese bananas are now much more visible," said a wholesale dealer at the Ota Tokyo market. He began noticing Vietnamese banana shipments around 2023. Currently, Vietnamese bananas rank third in sales volume, following the Philippines and Ecuador.
According to importing companies, Vietnamese bananas are increasingly favored due to their low price and good quality, according to the importing companies.
Growing bananas in Vietnam costs less than in the Philippines and other countries. Moreover, Vietnam is closer to Japan than Latin American countries like Mexico and Ecuador, so transportation is also cheaper.
Just last month, the volume of Vietnamese bananas reaching the Tokyo region doubled compared to the same period last year. Although still a small percentage of total imports, this could be a breakthrough compared to the volume of bananas imported from the Philippines, which previously held the majority.
"Vietnamese bananas are now much more visible," said a wholesale dealer at the Ota Tokyo market. He began noticing Vietnamese banana shipments around 2023. Currently, Vietnamese bananas rank third in sales volume, following the Philippines and Ecuador.
According to importing companies, Vietnamese bananas are increasingly favored due to their low price and good quality, according to the importing companies.
Growing bananas in Vietnam costs less than in the Philippines and other countries. Moreover, Vietnam is closer to Japan than Latin American countries like Mexico and Ecuador, so transportation is also cheaper.
Original content
According to Japanese trade statistics, banana imports from Vietnam last year surged to 33,000 tons—nearly 14 times the amount in 2019. Vietnam's market share increased from 0.2% to 3.2% of Japan's total banana imports. Just last month, the amount of Vietnamese bananas arriving in the Tokyo area doubled compared to the same period last year. Although still a small percentage of total imports, this could be a breakthrough compared to the amount of bananas imported from the Philippines, which previously held the majority. "Vietnamese bananas are now much more visible," said a wholesale dealer at the Ota Tokyo market. He began noticing boxes of Vietnamese bananas around 2023. Currently, Vietnamese bananas rank third in sales, behind the Philippines and Ecuador. According to importing companies, Vietnamese bananas are becoming increasingly popular due to their low price and good quality, according to importing companies. Growing bananas in Vietnam costs less than in the Philippines ...
Source: Vietstock
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