Spices · importers
Japan ranks seventh of 96 at $2.2B in the chapter that contains spices, and its seasoning and sauce industry is a demanding customer.
| Market | HS 09 imports |
|---|---|
| United States | $11.7B |
| Germany | $6.5B |
| France | $4.0B |
| Italy | $3.4B |
| Canada | $2.4B |
Figures are for the whole of HS chapter 09 (coffee, tea, mate and spices). Source: UN Comtrade, as reported by national authorities; latest available year per market.
Spain is above and the United Kingdom below, all at $2.2B when rounded. Japan’s 3.3% share of reported world imports is tied with both. Spices sit in a chapter that is 0.3% of its $742.7B imports and ranks 43rd, behind fuels at $168.7B and electrical machinery at $106.1B.
Japan has a large industry making curry roux, seasoning mixes, instant noodles and ready meals, all of which use spices in quantity. These manufacturers work with tight specifications for colour, heat, aroma and particle size, and they often test each lot. Precision and consistency count for more than novelty.
Request the manufacturer’s specification early, and ask how much it values the ability to trace a lot back to a farm or region. Also ask how the buyer handles lots that come in slightly outside specification: some will negotiate a discount, while others reject outright, and knowing which before you ship saves a costly dispute later.
Residue limits and permitted treatments are set by the authorities and change over time, so confirm the current rules and the buyer’s own standards before shipping. China, the USA, Australia and the United Arab Emirates lead Japan’s overall source list, which covers all goods and says nothing about spice origins.
The $2.2B includes coffee, tea and mate, so spices are only a portion. Rankings are reporter-declared and can be affected by re-exports.
Named consignees show up in shipment records for each spice heading. Agree Incoterm, currency, payment terms and port, and approach shortlisted companies through this site’s free marketplace. Prepare samples and a full specification sheet, because Japanese buyers often evaluate carefully before placing a trial order and expect the shipped lot to match the sample exactly.
Seventh of 96 at $2.2B in 2024, a 3.3% share of reported world imports.
Makers of curry roux, seasonings, noodles and ready meals, plus packers and wholesalers.
No. Coffee, tea and mate are counted too.
Use spice-heading shipment records and read consignees and weights.
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