Australian Grapes Land in Japan with Record Import Volumes!
The ATGA announces the arrival of the 2026 season of Australian table grapes in Japan, hitting a record high volume up 30% YoY. Over 130 varieties are available, with nationwide tasting events currently underway.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (1h 2m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 04:53 (28h 51m after Collected)
The Australian Table Grape Association Inc. (ATGA), the industry body representing Australian table grape growers, is pleased to announce that the 2026 season of Australian table grapes has arrived in the Japanese market. This season marks a record-high import volume, a significant increase from 2025. With the removal of variety restrictions, over 130 varieties are now available for export, offering Japanese consumers attractive new options in terms of freshness, flavor, and rich colors.
■ This Season's Highlights
Because the harvest season for Australian grapes (December to May) is opposite to Japan's, there is a major advantage in being able to supply fresh grapes during a period when domestic grape distribution is low. Key data for the 2026 season are as follows:
- Import volume: Up approximately 30% year-on-year, reaching a record high.
- Number of importable varieties: Over 130, including green, red, and black.
- Freshness: 14 to 21 days from harvest to appearing on Japanese store shelves.
- Cold chain: Maintained at 3°C during transport, arriving in the exact same condition as when shipped.
- Variety composition: 70% Green / 20% Red / 10% Black (common across all major importers).
- In-store tasting sales: Conducted at 39 stores across 14 retail chains in 18 prefectures nationwide (planned for over 90 additional stores).
■ About the In-Store Tasting Sales Program
From April to May, ATGA is rolling out an in-store tasting sales program targeting 39 stores across retail chains nationwide (with plans to expand to over 90 more stores). Each tasting session offers a 3-color tasting set, where dedicated promoters introduce the appeal of Australian grapes. The major difference from domestic grapes lies in the convenience and safety of being "seedless and edible with the skin on."
This season's Australian grapes are sold at major supermarkets across Japan through major importers such as KIFA, CGC, UnionWill, AISS, and RBFoods. They are distributed to retail chains including Apita, Aeon Tohoku, Don Quijote, Torisen, Fuji Citio, MaxValu Hokuriku, OK, Kyoto Co-op, Kinsho Store, Sawamitsu Seika, U Co-op, Hokuyu Lucky, Doto Arcs, and Taiyo.
■ Voices from Customers and Store Staff
The in-store tasting sales program began in early April across various regions nationwide, offering customers a 3-color tasting set of green, red, and black Australian grapes. Store staff have frequently reported, "Customers are often surprised by the freshness and flavor that exceed their expectations for imported goods."
The sales staff highlight two main selling points to customers every time: the ease of eating "seedless and with the skin on," and the difference in sweetness and freshness compared to other grapes. Among customers who taste all three colors, there are many cases where they purchase multiple packs. Feedback from sales staff indicates that the black grapes, which have particularly thin skins and no astringency, are the most popular among customers.
"We buy red and green every year, and my family looks forward to it. I feel that imported grapes are the most delicious at this time of year. It was my first time eating the black ones, but they have a rich sweetness and the berries are larger than Kyoho, which gives a great sense of satisfaction." (Customer at Torisen Sano West Store, Tochigi Prefecture)
Mr. Nagae from K.I. Fresh Access Co., Ltd.: "Delicious grapes in spring"
"The perfect origin for this phrase is Australia. Compared to South American products that arrive at the same time, the voyage duration is shorter, and they are harvested and shipped after fully ripening, so the freshness and taste are different. Our company is rolling out tasting sales comparing the three colors (green, red, and black) nationwide, and there are many people eating them for the first time. All three colors are delicious, but we highly recommend the black grapes from Australia. Because the skin is thin and you don't feel any astringency, the aftertaste is extremely good, and they are immensely popular. Please give them a try."
■ Competitive Advantage of Australian Grapes
A perfect opportunity has emerged for Australian grapes to fill the supply gap during Japan's spring season. Furthermore, for importers and retailers, it represents a strong option for diversifying a highly reliable supply chain, leveraging the short transit times and consistent quality control from shipment to storefront. The variety lineup is diverse, including seedless whites, refreshing greens, rich reds, and the black variety "Midnight Beauty," which has been rapidly rising in popularity in recent years. What they all share is the keywords "seedless...
■ This Season's Highlights
Because the harvest season for Australian grapes (December to May) is opposite to Japan's, there is a major advantage in being able to supply fresh grapes during a period when domestic grape distribution is low. Key data for the 2026 season are as follows:
- Import volume: Up approximately 30% year-on-year, reaching a record high.
- Number of importable varieties: Over 130, including green, red, and black.
- Freshness: 14 to 21 days from harvest to appearing on Japanese store shelves.
- Cold chain: Maintained at 3°C during transport, arriving in the exact same condition as when shipped.
- Variety composition: 70% Green / 20% Red / 10% Black (common across all major importers).
- In-store tasting sales: Conducted at 39 stores across 14 retail chains in 18 prefectures nationwide (planned for over 90 additional stores).
■ About the In-Store Tasting Sales Program
From April to May, ATGA is rolling out an in-store tasting sales program targeting 39 stores across retail chains nationwide (with plans to expand to over 90 more stores). Each tasting session offers a 3-color tasting set, where dedicated promoters introduce the appeal of Australian grapes. The major difference from domestic grapes lies in the convenience and safety of being "seedless and edible with the skin on."
This season's Australian grapes are sold at major supermarkets across Japan through major importers such as KIFA, CGC, UnionWill, AISS, and RBFoods. They are distributed to retail chains including Apita, Aeon Tohoku, Don Quijote, Torisen, Fuji Citio, MaxValu Hokuriku, OK, Kyoto Co-op, Kinsho Store, Sawamitsu Seika, U Co-op, Hokuyu Lucky, Doto Arcs, and Taiyo.
■ Voices from Customers and Store Staff
The in-store tasting sales program began in early April across various regions nationwide, offering customers a 3-color tasting set of green, red, and black Australian grapes. Store staff have frequently reported, "Customers are often surprised by the freshness and flavor that exceed their expectations for imported goods."
The sales staff highlight two main selling points to customers every time: the ease of eating "seedless and with the skin on," and the difference in sweetness and freshness compared to other grapes. Among customers who taste all three colors, there are many cases where they purchase multiple packs. Feedback from sales staff indicates that the black grapes, which have particularly thin skins and no astringency, are the most popular among customers.
"We buy red and green every year, and my family looks forward to it. I feel that imported grapes are the most delicious at this time of year. It was my first time eating the black ones, but they have a rich sweetness and the berries are larger than Kyoho, which gives a great sense of satisfaction." (Customer at Torisen Sano West Store, Tochigi Prefecture)
Mr. Nagae from K.I. Fresh Access Co., Ltd.: "Delicious grapes in spring"
"The perfect origin for this phrase is Australia. Compared to South American products that arrive at the same time, the voyage duration is shorter, and they are harvested and shipped after fully ripening, so the freshness and taste are different. Our company is rolling out tasting sales comparing the three colors (green, red, and black) nationwide, and there are many people eating them for the first time. All three colors are delicious, but we highly recommend the black grapes from Australia. Because the skin is thin and you don't feel any astringency, the aftertaste is extremely good, and they are immensely popular. Please give them a try."
■ Competitive Advantage of Australian Grapes
A perfect opportunity has emerged for Australian grapes to fill the supply gap during Japan's spring season. Furthermore, for importers and retailers, it represents a strong option for diversifying a highly reliable supply chain, leveraging the short transit times and consistent quality control from shipment to storefront. The variety lineup is diverse, including seedless whites, refreshing greens, rich reds, and the black variety "Midnight Beauty," which has been rapidly rising in popularity in recent years. What they all share is the keywords "seedless...