Which Countries Import the Most

Trade statistics show where Japanese green tea is going.

The United States leads

By volume, the US ranks first, accounting for roughly 30 percent of total exports.

MAFF notes record-setting figures for US-bound shipments on the strength of demand for green tea.

A premium market

What distinguishes the US market is unit price — roughly five times that of Chinese green tea by weight.

Expanding presence in high-end restaurants and specialty retail, together with the penetration of the Uji/Kyoto origin brand, are cited as contributors.

This is a market that pays for quality rather than one that absorbs volume.

Europe and ASEAN

MAFF's analysis highlights growth in European, North American, and ASEAN destinations.

The stated drivers are health consciousness and interest in Japanese food, with demand for powdered tea as a food ingredient — lattes and confectionery — leading the expansion.

Overall scale

2025 green tea exports: roughly ¥72.1 billion in value, close to double the previous year, on 12,612 tonnes, about 1.4 times. A sixth consecutive record.

Value outpacing volume reflects rising unit prices.

Markets want different things

Destinations differ in what they are buying.

Some markets want it as a beverage, some as a confectionery input, some receive it through a health-oriented framing. The same commodity is used differently.

The contrast with Japan

Domestic consumption is dominated by sencha, with matcha a smaller share.

Abroad, matcha is what many people associate with Japanese tea — a legacy of how strongly the tea ceremony transmitted.

That matcha is leading export growth is not unrelated to that perception.

Figures reflect statistics as of 2025.