Why are Vietnamese bananas surpassing Philippine bananas in the Japanese market?

Consumers in Japan are seeing more and more Vietnamese bananas appearing in stores, while the dominance of imported bananas from the Philippines is waning.

Nikkei Asia reported: "Imported bananas from Vietnam are replacing bananas from the Philippines on some shelves in Japan" - Photo: NIKKEI ASIA

On August 9th, Nikkei Asia published an article titled "Vietnam Takes Over Banana Market Share in Japan," stating that Japanese consumers are seeing an increasing number of Vietnamese bananas in stores.

According to Japanese trade statistics cited by a VNA correspondent in Tokyo, banana imports from Vietnam in 2024 increased to 33,000 tons, nearly 14 times higher than in 2019, with Vietnam increasing its market share of imports from Japan from 0.2% to 3.2%.

In July 2025, Vietnam's banana exports to the Tokyo area more than doubled compared to the same period last year. Although still only accounting for a small fraction of total imports, this could be a breakthrough compared to banana imports from the Philippines, which previously accounted for the majority.

"Vietnamese bananas are appearing more frequently on the market," said an agricultural wholesaler at the Ota market in Tokyo. He first saw crates of bananas from Vietnam around 2023. Currently, Vietnamese bananas are second only to those from the Philippines and Ecuador in terms of shipping volume.

According to a trading company, this increase is due to a combination of low prices and good quality. Farming costs in Vietnam are lower than in the Philippines and other major producers.

In addition, Vietnam's relatively close proximity to Japan compared to suppliers in Latin America such as Mexico and Ecuador results in lower shipping costs.

A grocery store chain near Tokyo started selling sample bananas two years ago and has now found that customers frequently buy Vietnamese bananas, according to an employee.

Another grocery chain prices Vietnamese bananas about 10% lower than Philippine bananas.

Japan and Vietnam are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), therefore Japan's tariff on bananas imported from Vietnam is currently 5.4%. This tariff will be gradually reduced in stages and completely eliminated by 2028. This could give Vietnamese bananas a significant price advantage.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vi-sao-chuoi-viet-nam-dang-lan-luot-chuoi-philippines-o-thi-truong-nhat-2025080919511406.htm