Japanese sweet potato exports have seen an increase, driven by advancements in spoilage prevention technology and efforts to customize offerings for global markets. In 2023, Japan exported 6,200 tons of sweet potatoes, marking a nearly tenfold increase in shipment value to 2.9 billion yen over the past decade. The growth in exports accelerated after 2018, following the popularity of Japan-made potatoes in Singapore, thanks to a Don Quijote store opening there in 2017. A spokesperson from Don Quijote highlighted the acceptance of their sweet potatoes, noted for their high sugar content and quality, as a favored snack in the region.
Kushima Aoi Farm, based in Miyazaki Prefecture, accounts for 20 percent of Japan's sweet potato exports, operating a significant storage facility and collaborating with 280 partner farms. The farm exports around 1,000 tons of sweet potatoes to 11 countries, primarily for supermarket sales. Long transit times necessitate measures against spoilage, with the farm employing techniques to heal harvest-induced potato scratches naturally, thus reducing spoilage risks.
In response to a foot rot outbreak in 2018, Minamihashi Shoji, an agricultural business in Kagoshima Prefecture, adopted the use of peracetic acid for disinfecting sweet potatoes, a method that proved effective for export-quality potatoes as well. This innovation emerged from the need to combat the disease that significantly affected sweet potato production in the region.
Kushima Aoi Farm also focuses on catering to international tastes and organizing tasting events abroad to identify consumer preferences in different markets. Despite the challenges of high logistics costs and the risk of spoilage, the farm remains optimistic about the international appeal of Japan-made sweet potatoes. Shoto Horiuchi, the farm's vice president, emphasizes the potential for global success with improved quality and distribution networks, aiming to support their contract farmers through increased sales.
Source: The Asahi Shimbun