Japan Amaranth Market Outlook

japan has a large and growing demand for amaranth, accounting for 17.4% of world acreage planted for this crop in 2018, according to kalyana sundaram. amaranth is mainly harvested for its edible seed grains and is an emerging superfood in both the japanese domestic and export markets. japanese demand for amaranth has grown as it is a highly versatile crop that provides a range of health benefits. this has seen it rapidly growing in popularity as a snack and a meal ingredient. amaranth has numerous fatty acids that are beneficial for cardiovascular health, and its high fibre content improves digestion, in addition to packing a flavourful punch. this increase in popularity of amaranth has driven an increase in demand in japan. in terms of supply, japanese farmers have been able to meet the domestic demand for amaranth as its production has doubled over the past decade. however, as the popularity of the crop has continued to increase, farmers have been struggling to keep up with the increased demand. this has led to a shortfall in production, which is expected to continue in the coming years, resulting in a tightening of japan’s amaranth supply. a challenge to amaranth production in japan is the presence of fungal diseases called rusts that are capable of reducing yields. diseases such as stem rust, leaf rust and stripe rust can significantly reduce yields if left untreated. these diseases may necessitate increased use of fungicides and other protective measures to ensure that production does not suffer. in light of these challenges, the future of the japanese amaranth market remains difficult to predict. with increasing health conscious consumers driving recent market growth, continued demand for this crop can be expected. however, with supply expected to remain tight, the price of amaranth is likely to remain high and continue to be a significant production risk. as the popularity of amaranth continues to increase in japan, it is hoped that the farming sector will be able to meet the growing demand.