Sub Product
Dried Wild Harvested Kombu Kelp
Raw Materials
Fresh Kelp
HS Code
121221
Last Updated
2026-05-16
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- Japan Dried Kelp market intelligence page includes 0 premium suppliers.
- 5 sampled export transactions for Japan are summarized.
- 1 export partner companies and 18 import partner companies are mapped for Dried Kelp 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 2026-05-16.
Dried Kelp Export Supplier Intelligence, Price Trends, and Trade Flows in Japan
1 export partner companies are tracked for Dried Kelp in Japan. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to validate exporter coverage, partner quality, and route priorities.
Explore Dried Kelp export intelligence in Japan, including 5 sampled supplier transactions, monthly unit-price ranges, and partner-country trade flow patterns for HS Code 121221.
Scatter points are sampled from 88.1% of the full transaction dataset.
Sample Export Supplier Transaction Records for Dried Kelp in Japan
5 sampled Dried Kelp transactions in Japan include date, origin, and partner-country context to benchmark export prices and supplier trading patterns.
Dried Kelp sampled transaction unit prices by date in Japan: 2026-05-08: 20.23 USD / kg, 2026-04-09: 22.46 USD / kg, 2026-03-03: 21.91 USD / kg, 2026-02-16: 1.10 USD / kg, 2026-02-06: 94.15 USD / kg.
| Date | Reported Product | Unit Price | Exporter | Importer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-08 | [절임*** *** ** ********* * ****** **** | 20.23 USD / kg | (Japan) | (South Korea) | |
| 2026-04-09 | [절임*** *** ** ****************************** ***** ********* | 22.46 USD / kg | (Japan) | (South Korea) | |
| 2026-03-03 | [절임*** *** ** ********* * ****** **** | 21.91 USD / kg | (Japan) | (South Korea) | |
| 2026-02-16 | FUK****** * ***** ***** *** ** ***** * *** **** * * ** *********** | 1.10 USD / kg | (Japan) | (Philippines) | |
| 2026-02-06 | MIX** ********* ******* **** ************ ** ********* ******** **** **** | 94.15 USD / kg | (Japan) | (Philippines) |
Top Dried Kelp Export Suppliers and Companies in Japan
Review leading exporter profiles and benchmark them against 1 total export partner companies tracked for Dried Kelp in Japan. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to shortlist sourcing and export partners faster.
(Japan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-11-05
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food ManufacturingFood Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleTrade
Japan Export Partner Coverage
1 companies
Total export partner company count is a core signal of Japan export network depth for Dried Kelp.
Exporters and importers can open Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to assess Dried Kelp partner concentration, capacity signals, and trade relevance in Japan.
Annual Export Value, Volume, and Supplier Market Size for Dried Kelp in Japan (HS Code 121221)
Analyze 3 years of Dried Kelp export volume and value in Japan to evaluate supplier market growth, seasonality, and trade volatility.
| Year | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,012,482 | 20,948,043 USD |
| 2023 | 1,234,421 | 22,212,085 USD |
| 2022 | 1,505,728 | 20,158,847 USD |
Top Destination Markets for Dried Kelp Exports from Japan (HS Code 121221) in 2024
For 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 5 destination countries for Dried Kelp exports from Japan.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 232,814 | 9,239,420.705 USD |
| 2 | Vietnam | 142,410 | 1,489,730.463 USD |
| 3 | Hong Kong | 66,404 | 941,517.316 USD |
| 4 | Thailand | 72,827 | 860,039.475 USD |
| 5 | Singapore | 17,782 | 493,927.618 USD |
Dried Kelp Import Buyer Intelligence and Price Signals in Japan: Buyers, Demand, and Trade Partners
18 import partner companies are tracked for Dried Kelp 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 100.0% of the full transaction dataset.
Sample Import Transaction and Price Records for Dried Kelp in Japan
4 sampled Dried Kelp import transactions in Japan provide date, origin, and trade-country context to benchmark price levels and demand-side trading patterns.
Dried Kelp sampled import transaction unit prices by date in Japan: 2025-11-03: 10.45 USD / kg, 2025-10-23: 0.84 USD / kg, 2025-10-20: 1.27 USD / kg, 2025-10-07: 0.80 USD / kg.
| Date | Reported Product | Unit Price | Exporter | Importer | Origin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-03 | NLD********************** ***** ********** ********* *** ********* ***************** | 10.45 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2025-10-23 | 610****** * ***** ******** ********* ******** ******* * ******** | 0.84 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2025-10-20 | SIN******* ****** ************* ******************* ************* | 1.27 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - | |
| 2025-10-07 | 610****** * ***** ******** ********* ******** ******* * ******** | 0.80 USD / kg | (-) | (-) | - |
Top Dried Kelp Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners in Japan
Review leading buyer profiles and compare them with 18 total import partner companies tracked for Dried Kelp in Japan. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate demand-side partner fit.
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-04-16
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 1M - 5M
Industries: Food ManufacturingOthers
Value Chain Roles: Food ManufacturingTrade
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-04-16
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Industries: Food PackagingOthersFood Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleOthersTrade
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-04-16
Industries: OthersFood Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: TradeDistribution / Wholesale
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-11-03
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food ManufacturingFood Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleTrade
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-04-16
Employee Size: 501 - 1000 Employees
Industries: Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: TradeFood Manufacturing
(Japan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-04-16
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Food PackagingFood ManufacturingFood Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleLogisticsFood Manufacturing
Japan Import Partner Coverage
18 companies
Import partner company count highlights demand-side visibility for Dried Kelp in Japan.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Dried Kelp importers, distributors, and buyer networks in Japan.
Annual Import Value, Volume, and Demand Size for Dried Kelp in Japan (HS Code 121221)
Track 3 years of Dried Kelp import volume and value in Japan to assess demand growth and market momentum.
| Year | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39,673,078 | 299,390,430 USD |
| 2023 | 30,458,337 | 219,625,156 USD |
| 2022 | 28,022,574 | 188,654,220 USD |
Top Origin Supplier Countries Supplying Dried Kelp to Japan (HS Code 121221) in 2024
For 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 5 origin supplier countries supplying Dried Kelp to Japan.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Korea | 12,436,916 | 151,679,441.129 USD |
| 2 | China | 26,775,058 | 140,567,232.458 USD |
| 3 | Canada | 149,160 | 4,701,026.335 USD |
| 4 | Chile | 24,264 | 865,027.375 USD |
| 5 | Vietnam | 57,276 | 857,482.763 USD |
Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Fishery/Aquaculture Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried kelp (kombu) is a core Japanese food ingredient, widely used for dashi and traditional dishes, and is supplied primarily from Hokkaido production. Hokkaido is repeatedly cited by Japanese sector organizations as accounting for roughly 90% of domestic kombu output, with multiple region-linked kombu types (e.g., Rishiri, Hidaka, Rausu) forming important quality and price segments. Harvest and drying are strongly seasonal in Hokkaido, with kombu fishing concentrated from late spring through summer into early autumn, and peak activity in mid-summer. The most critical supply risk for Japan is coastal ecosystem degradation and warming-related seaweed-bed loss (isoyake), which is linked to declining kelp resources and has prompted technical and policy countermeasures.
Market RoleMajor domestic producer and consumer market (Hokkaido-centered), with imports of seaweeds supplementing supply depending on species/grade and price.
Domestic RoleTraditional staple ingredient for household and foodservice use (notably dashi), with strong regional branding and grading in domestic distribution.
Market GrowthDeclining (recent multi-year trend)declining domestic kombu production volumes over the long term, with aquaculture taking a larger stabilizing role
SeasonalityStrongly seasonal coastal harvest and sun-drying in Hokkaido; kombu fishing typically runs from around May to mid-September, with peak activity in summer (often July–September depending on area/type).
Specification
Primary VarietyKombu (kelp; typically Laminaria/Saccharina spp. marketed as regional kombu types in Japan)
Secondary Variety
- Rishiri kombu
- Rausu kombu
- Hidaka kombu
- Naga kombu
- Atsuba kombu
- Hosome kombu
Physical Attributes
- Grades commonly reference appearance factors such as color, thickness, shape, and length (example: Rausu kombu grading references these attributes).
- Low moisture and cleanliness (absence of sand/foreign matter) are practical acceptance criteria due to shelf-stability and downstream processing needs.
Compositional Metrics
- Umami positioning is commonly tied to glutamic acid in kombu (qualitative attribute used in marketing and culinary selection).
- Iodine is a notable nutrient in edible seaweeds and can be a buyer/consumer concern depending on target segment.
Grades
- Regional grading systems may categorize kombu by visual and physical attributes (e.g., color, thickness, shape, length) and assign multi-level grades.
Packaging
- Bulk bundles/bales for wholesalers and processors
- Retail pouches (cut strips/sheets) for household use
- Moisture-barrier packaging is important to prevent quality loss during domestic distribution
Supply Chain
Value Chain
- Coastal harvest (Hokkaido) → washing → beach/sun drying → finishing dry (shed/dryer) → grading/sorting → bundling/packing → wholesale/processor distribution → retail/foodservice
Temperature
- Ambient distribution is typical for dried kombu, but humidity control is critical to prevent rehydration, mold risk, and quality degradation.
Shelf Life
- Shelf-life is primarily moisture-driven; maintaining dry storage and moisture-barrier packaging reduces spoilage and texture/aroma loss.
- Odor absorption can be a handling issue in mixed dry-goods warehousing; segregated storage may be required for quality-sensitive grades.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Climate HighJapan’s dried kombu supply is heavily concentrated in Hokkaido, and official-sector and regional research sources link coastal seaweed-bed loss (isoyake) and warming-related ecosystem change to declining kelp resources and production, creating a high risk of supply disruption and price volatility for kombu-dependent buyers.Diversify approved origins/types across Hokkaido regions and qualified imports; build pre-season inventory buffers; require supplier evidence of harvest area management and participate in adaptation/monitoring programs where available.
Food Safety MediumEdible seaweeds can concentrate iodine and some contaminants; buyer specifications and compliance checks may tighten depending on monitoring findings, and excessive iodine intake is a recognized consumer health concern in kelp-consuming diets.Set buyer specs and testing plans for iodine and relevant contaminants; maintain supplier test certificates and align with MHLW quarantine station expectations for imported foods.
Regulatory Compliance MediumImport clearance risk arises from incorrect tariff classification (HS subdivision/species) and incomplete or inconsistent Food Sanitation Act import notification documentation, which can trigger delays, inspections, or rejection.Obtain advance tariff classification guidance where needed; implement a pre-shipment document checklist aligned to MHLW import notification requirements and Japan Customs origin/tariff procedures.
Logistics MediumFor imported dried seaweed, sea-freight rate volatility and route disruptions can raise landed costs; while shelf-stable, shipment timing and inventory planning still affect program continuity for processors and retailers.Use multi-month rolling inventory targets, book flexible shipping windows, and qualify alternate suppliers/origins to reduce exposure to single-route disruptions.
Sustainability
- Seaweed-bed degradation and ‘isoyake’ (loss of seaweed beds) affecting coastal ecosystems and seaweed resources; warming seas are cited as a major background factor.
- Blue carbon and coastal habitat restoration initiatives influence policy attention and potential future sustainability requirements for marine products.
FAQ
When is kombu (kelp) typically harvested in Hokkaido for dried products?Hokkaido sector sources describe kombu fishing as seasonal, starting as early as May in some areas and continuing to around mid-September, with summer (often July to September) as the busiest period. Some premium types such as Rausu kombu are described as being harvested mainly from late July through August.
What is the core food-safety import procedure for bringing dried kelp into Japan for sale?Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires importers to submit an import notification under the Food Sanitation Act to an MHLW quarantine station for each import intended for sale or business use. The quarantine station performs document examination and may require inspection before the product can proceed through clearance.
Why is climate and coastal ecosystem change treated as the top risk for Japan’s kombu supply?Japan’s kombu supply is highly concentrated in Hokkaido, and Japan’s Fisheries Agency and Hokkaido research bodies describe widespread seaweed-bed decline (‘isoyake’) and warming-related impacts that reduce seaweed habitats and pressure kelp resources. This concentration plus ecosystem stress creates a high likelihood that poor seasons translate into supply and price shocks.
Sources
Other Dried Kelp Country Markets for Supplier, Export, and Price Comparison from Japan
Compare Dried Kelp supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks across countries related to Japan.
All related country market pages: China, Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam, Norway, Philippines, Russia, United Kingdom, Spain, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, United States, Canada, Denmark, Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, Ukraine, Germany, Panama, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Portugal, Argentina, France, Turkiye, Sweden, Australia, Finland, Ecuador, Lithuania, Chile, Austria, Brazil, South Africa, Taiwan, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Czechia, Belgium, Hong Kong, India, Latvia, Madagascar, Israel, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Colombia, Azerbaijan, Peru, Romania, Sri Lanka, Slovakia, Estonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbados, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Bahrain, Benin, Bermuda, Brunei, Bolivia, Bahamas, Belize, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Croatia, Hungary, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Kuwait, Laos, Liberia, Luxembourg, Morocco, Moldova, Montenegro, Macedonia, Myanmar [Burma], Mongolia, Macao, Malta, Mauritius, Maldives, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Senegal, El Salvador, Tunisia, Tanzania, Uganda, Uruguay, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Zambia
Related Dried Kelp Product Categories
Browse parent, sub, derived, and raw-material product market pages related to Dried Kelp.
Sub products: Dried Wild Harvested Kombu Kelp
Raw materials: Fresh Kelp
By clicking “Accept Cookies,” I agree to provide cookies for statistical and personalized preference purposes. To learn more about our cookies, please read our Privacy Policy.