A report commissioned by the Agribusiness Group on market opportunities for Victorian grain products in Japan has concluded that there may be some potential for adzuki beans, marrowfat peas—and for pearl barley in the longer term.

Japan consumes large quantities of adzuki beans, kintoki beans, marrowfat peas and pearl barley, most of which are locally grown. Limited quantities are imported from countries such as Canada, China and the US, mainly under a strict quota system in which quotas are reallocated every six months. Smaller quantities are sometimes imported outside the quota system, but attract steep tariffs.

Victoria’s higher rainfall cropping regions—including the southwest of the State and parts of the southern Wimmera—appear suited to the production of marrowfat peas, kintoki and adzuki beans, but so far only small quantities have been grown. Although no pearling barley varieties have been developed specifically for Victorian conditions, the DPI breeding program has the necessary capabilities for this task.

Victorian grain companies have been working with the Agribusiness Group to identify and develop market opportunities in Japan.

Although Japan’s requirements for peas and beans are currently satisfied by existing local and overseas suppliers, research has identified several Japanese companies interested in being introduced to potential Australian suppliers. Australia will have to offer consistently high quality and competitive prices if it wants to expand its share of the market.

Adzuki beans, sometimes known as small red beans or “dainagon” (premium types), are mainly used to produce “anko”, wholly or partly mashed sweet cooked small beans for stuffing or covering rice cakes. Kintoki beans, a red variety of “ingen” or kidney bean, are almost exclusively sold in cooked form, and must be perfect in appearance with no cracks. Marrowfat peas, also known as “endoh”, are used in the production of snack foods, cooked peas and anko.

Barley imports are controlled through a central buying agency, which tenders a few times a year. However, some industry figures have suggested that the Japanese barley market may be liberalised over the next five years. Australian growers could begin preparing themselves for this possibility by finding out what kind of barley would meet Japanese requirements. For example, two-row barley grown in Australia may have sufficient flavour for use in tea production.

Prepared by Austrade staff in Osaka and Fukuoka, the report draws on production and import statistics and interviews with Japanese wholesalers, importers and processors.

More information on the Victorian production of specialised grains is available from Brian Kearns on 03 5362 2110 or at brian.kearns@nre.vic.gov.au.

More information on the Japanese market for grain products is available from Ross Clarke on 03 9210 9387 or at ross.clarke@nre.vic.gov.au