Derived Products
Plant-Based Cheese, Protein Pudding
HS Code
130231
Last Updated
2026-06-09
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- Japan Agar market intelligence page includes 0 premium suppliers.
- 5 sampled export transactions for Japan are summarized.
- 8 export partner companies and 24 import partner companies are mapped for Agar in Japan.
- Wholesale sample entries: 0; farmgate sample entries: 0.
- 5 export partner countries and 5 import partner countries are ranked.
- Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2024.
- Page data last updated on 2026-06-09.
Agar Export Supplier Intelligence, Price Trends, and Trade Flows in Japan
8 export partner companies are tracked for Agar in Japan. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to validate exporter coverage, partner quality, and route priorities.
Explore Agar export intelligence in Japan, including 5 sampled supplier transactions, monthly unit-price ranges, and partner-country trade flow patterns for HS Code 130231.
Scatter points are sampled from 92.0% of the full transaction dataset.
Sample Export Supplier Transaction Records for Agar in Japan
5 sampled Agar transactions in Japan include date, origin, and partner-country context to benchmark export prices and supplier trading patterns.
Agar sampled transaction unit prices by date in Japan: 2026-03-30: 30.80 USD / kg, 2025-12-19: 41.80 USD / kg, 2025-12-09: 45.92 USD / kg, 2025-12-03: 58.51 USD / kg, 2025-11-26: 823.26 USD / kg.
| Date | Reported Product | Unit Price | Exporter | Importer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-30 | [혼합*** *** ********* **** * | 30.80 USD / kg | (Japan) | (South Korea) | |
| 2025-12-19 | Foo* ********* **** ****** ******** ****** ****** *** *********** ********* **** *********** **** ************ ************** ******** **** ***** ******** *** **** ********* | 41.80 USD / kg | (Japan) | (Vietnam) | |
| 2025-12-09 | Ina **** ****** * **** ****************** ******** *** ************* ** ************* ********** ******* **** ******** **** ***** *** ***** **** | 45.92 USD / kg | (Japan) | (Vietnam) | |
| 2025-12-03 | 911***************** ****** **************** ****** ***** ** ************* ** *********** *** ********** ***** ******** | 58.51 USD / kg | (Japan) | (Vietnam) | |
| 2025-11-26 | LOS ****** *** ****** ***** * ********* ********** ******** ********* ********** * ********* ********* * ***** ********* * *********** ********* ** *** ********** ******* ************ ****** ******* * ***** ***** * ********* ********** | 823.26 USD / kg | (Japan) | (Argentina) |
Top Agar Export Suppliers and Companies in Japan
Review leading exporter profiles and benchmark them against 8 total export partner companies tracked for Agar in Japan. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to shortlist sourcing and export partners faster.
(Japan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-06-18
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food ManufacturingOthers
Value Chain Roles: Food Manufacturing
(Japan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-05-09
Industries: Crop Production
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(Japan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-09-09
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food PackagingFood WholesalersOthers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleTrade
(Japan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-05-09
Industries: Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(Japan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-05-09
Employee Size: 501 - 1000 Employees
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingFood ManufacturingFood PackagingOthers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleFood ManufacturingTrade
(Japan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-05-09
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale
Japan Export Partner Coverage
8 companies
Total export partner company count is a core signal of Japan export network depth for Agar.
Exporters and importers can open Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to assess Agar partner concentration, capacity signals, and trade relevance in Japan.
Annual Export Value, Volume, and Supplier Market Size for Agar in Japan (HS Code 130231)
Analyze 3 years of Agar export volume and value in Japan to evaluate supplier market growth, seasonality, and trade volatility.
| Year | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33,910 | 1,436,746 USD |
| 2023 | 17,973 | 1,006,539 USD |
| 2022 | 32,610 | 1,465,990 USD |
Top Destination Markets for Agar Exports from Japan (HS Code 130231) in 2024
For 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 5 destination countries for Agar exports from Japan.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 4,912 | 313,253.33 USD |
| 2 | France | 8,290 | 236,816.241 USD |
| 3 | Indonesia | 2,700 | 118,223.139 USD |
| 4 | Netherlands | 1,870 | 113,169.174 USD |
| 5 | Vietnam | 1,340 | 75,908.57 USD |
Agar Import Buyer Intelligence and Price Signals in Japan: Buyers, Demand, and Trade Partners
24 import partner companies are tracked for Agar in Japan. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to analyze buyer demand, partner density, and downstream channels.
Scatter points are sampled from 41.7% of the full transaction dataset.
Sample Import Transaction and Price Records for Agar in Japan
5 sampled Agar import transactions in Japan provide date, origin, and trade-country context to benchmark price levels and demand-side trading patterns.
Agar sampled import transaction unit prices by date in Japan: 2025-12-29: 29.00 USD / kg, 2025-12-23: 9.46 USD / kg, 2025-12-19: 28.25 USD / kg, 2025-12-16: 29.00 USD / kg, 2025-12-15: 28.25 USD / kg.
| Date | Reported Product | Unit Price | Exporter | Importer | Origin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-29 | Unk**** ******* | 29.00 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2025-12-23 | MR ******* ***** | 9.46 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2025-12-19 | Unk**** ******* | 28.25 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2025-12-16 | Unk**** ******* | 29.00 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2025-12-15 | Unk**** ******* | 28.25 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - |
Top Agar Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners in Japan
Review leading buyer profiles and compare them with 24 total import partner companies tracked for Agar in Japan. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate demand-side partner fit.
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-10-24
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food PackagingFood WholesalersOthers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleTrade
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-09
Industries: Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Food Manufacturing
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-09
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleTrade
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-09
Industries: Food Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-09
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Industries: Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Food ManufacturingTrade
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-09
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Brokers And Trade AgenciesOthers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleLogisticsTrade
Japan Import Partner Coverage
24 companies
Import partner company count highlights demand-side visibility for Agar in Japan.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Agar importers, distributors, and buyer networks in Japan.
Annual Import Value, Volume, and Demand Size for Agar in Japan (HS Code 130231)
Track 3 years of Agar import volume and value in Japan to assess demand growth and market momentum.
| Year | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,694,951 | 41,079,201 USD |
| 2023 | 1,970,622 | 50,080,742 USD |
| 2022 | 1,802,283 | 41,004,388 USD |
Top Origin Supplier Countries Supplying Agar to Japan (HS Code 130231) in 2024
For 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 5 origin supplier countries supplying Agar to Japan.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chile | 594,000 | 17,135,946.794 USD |
| 2 | Morocco | 360,000 | 9,767,444.418 USD |
| 3 | China | 307,262 | 4,743,942.094 USD |
| 4 | Indonesia | 246,300 | 3,753,464.081 USD |
| 5 | South Korea | 116,500 | 3,448,039.441 USD |
Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried (Powder/Flakes/Strips)
Industry PositionFood Additive / Hydrocolloid Ingredient
Market
Agar (kanten) is a seaweed-derived hydrocolloid used in Japan as a gelling/thickening ingredient in food applications and also supplied for laboratory culture media uses. For commercial importation into Japan, agar products intended for sale or business use are subject to import notification and compliance checks under Japan’s Food Sanitation Act via MHLW Quarantine Stations. Japan’s regulatory framework treats many technological-function substances as “food additives,” and agar is referenced in government guidance as a substance used as a food additive in Japan. Market access is therefore driven less by perishability and more by documentation, specification conformity, and additive-status/standards alignment.
Market RoleDomestic consumer and processor market with import supply (food additive / ingredient use)
Domestic RoleTraditional and industrial use as a gelling agent (kanten) in domestic food manufacturing, with additional non-food demand (laboratory media).
Specification
Physical Attributes
- Food and laboratory grades are commonly supplied as strips, flakes, granules, or powder with low odor and controlled color/clarity.
Compositional Metrics
- Gel strength (application-dependent)
- Moisture and ash content (quality and stability)
- Sulfate content and ion profile (functionality and grade differentiation)
- Microbiological quality appropriate to intended use (food vs bacteriological/laboratory)
Grades
- Food-grade agar for gelling/thickening applications
- Bacteriological/laboratory-grade agar for culture media
Packaging
- Moisture-barrier inner bags with outer cartons for bulk shipments
- Sealed small packs for laboratory distribution channels
Supply Chain
Value Chain
- Red seaweed sourcing (harvest/aquaculture) → hot-water extraction → filtration/clarification → gelation → dehydration/drying → milling/sieving (as needed) → packaging → ocean freight to Japan → quarantine-station document review/possible inspection → importer distribution to food and laboratory channels
Temperature
- Typically handled as an ambient-stable dry ingredient; key control is keeping product dry and protected from moisture uptake.
Shelf Life
- Shelf life is primarily limited by moisture pickup, contamination risk after opening, and packaging integrity rather than temperature.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighJapan requires import notification and compliance with food additive rules under the Food Sanitation Act; documentation gaps or non-conforming additive/specification status can trigger inspection delays, rejection, or inability to sell the imported product for business use.Confirm agar’s intended regulatory positioning (food additive/ordinary food used as additive) and prepare an import-notification packet aligned to quarantine-station review (ingredients, manufacturing method, specifications, intended use), with pre-shipment testing to the buyer’s and Japan’s expectations.
Food Safety MediumAgar can be subject to contaminant and microbiological scrutiny at import; higher-purity or laboratory-grade uses may amplify buyer sensitivity to quality and test documentation.Maintain consistent COA/specification control (including microbiological quality appropriate to intended use) and implement supplier-qualification/audit procedures for upstream seaweed and processing stages.
Supply MediumAgar relies on marine biomass supply chains; environmental variability affecting red seaweed availability or quality in supplying origins can disrupt lead times and grades available to Japan buyers.Dual-source across seaweed origins/processing plants where feasible and keep safety stock for critical SKUs used in contracted production or laboratory supply.
Sustainability
- Seaweed sourcing sustainability and ecosystem impacts (wild harvest pressure vs aquaculture management) in upstream origins supplying the Japan market
- Traceability to seaweed origin and processing facility to support sustainability screening and prevent illegal/unsustainable harvesting risk
Labor & Social
- Upstream labor conditions in seaweed harvesting/aquaculture and primary processing in exporting countries can be a due-diligence topic for Japan importers even when the final ingredient is processed and shelf-stable.
FAQ
What is the key import requirement to bring agar into Japan for sale or business use?Importers must submit an import notification (“Notification Form for Importation of Foods, etc.”) to an MHLW Quarantine Station under the Food Sanitation Act. The quarantine station conducts document examination and may require inspection before the product can proceed through customs and be sold for business purposes.
How does Japan regulate agar when it is used for a technological purpose in food?Japan regulates substances used for processing or preserving foods as “food additives” under the Food Sanitation Act using a positive-list approach, and government guidance also references agar as an example of a substance that can be used as a food additive (as an ordinary food used as a food additive). Importers should ensure the product’s intended use and labeling align with the applicable permitted categories and standards.
Which HS code is commonly used for agar-agar in Japan’s tariff classification?Japan’s tariff line for agar-agar is HS 1302.31. Tariff rates can be expressed on a weight basis and vary by regime (e.g., General vs WTO) and by origin qualification; verify the currently applicable rate for the shipment date and origin.
Sources
Other Agar Country Markets for Supplier, Export, and Price Comparison from Japan
Compare Agar supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks across countries related to Japan.
All related country market pages: China, Indonesia, Spain, Philippines, United States, Chile, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Germany, India, Russia, Denmark, Vietnam, Brazil, Netherlands, Ukraine, Belgium, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Peru, Singapore, Australia, Switzerland, Austria, Kazakhstan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Poland, South Africa, Uruguay, Bangladesh, Hungary, Argentina, Morocco, Canada, Colombia, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Panama, Egypt, Serbia, Lithuania, Mexico, Costa Rica, Israel, Pakistan, Tunisia, Czechia, Azerbaijan, Taiwan, Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Norway, Oman, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Portugal, Ivory Coast, Sweden, Andorra, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Benin, Bermuda, Brunei, Bolivia, Bahamas, Botswana, Belize, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Fiji, Gabon, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Honduras, Iran, Iceland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Kuwait, Laos, Liberia, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, Madagascar, Myanmar [Burma], Mongolia, Macao, Malta, Mauritius, Maldives, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Nepal, New Zealand, Paraguay, Qatar, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Senegal, El Salvador, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Related Agar Product Categories
Browse parent, sub, derived, and raw-material product market pages related to Agar.
Derived products: Plant-Based Cheese, Protein Pudding
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