Shizuoka Drops to #2 in Japan's Crude Tea Production for Second Year as Kagoshima Leads in 2025

Japan's 2025 Tea Production Rankings: Kagoshima Holds #1, Shizuoka Slips Again

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has released its official tea production statistics for 2025, and the results mark another historic shift in Japan's tea industry. For the second consecutive year, Kagoshima Prefecture has ranked #1 in aracha (荒茶) production, while Shizuoka Prefecture — long considered the undisputed home of Japanese tea — has fallen to second place once again.

What Is Aracha?

Aracha (荒茶) literally means "crude tea" or "unrefined tea." It refers to tea leaves that have been harvested and undergone initial processing — steaming, rolling, and drying — but have not yet been sorted, blended, or refined into the final product. Aracha is the raw material used to produce finished teas, including sencha, gyokuro, and tencha, which is then stone-ground to become matcha. Aracha production volume is the standard benchmark used by the Japanese government to measure each prefecture's overall tea output.

2025 Production Numbers at a Glance

• Kagoshima Prefecture: 30,000 metric tons — up 11% year-over-year, #1 in Japan for the second consecutive year
• Shizuoka Prefecture: 24,100 metric tons — down 7% year-over-year, #2 in Japan for the second consecutive year

Kagoshima first claimed the top position in 2024, ending Shizuoka's decades-long reign as Japan's leading tea-producing region. The 2025 data confirms this is not a temporary fluctuation — it is a structural shift in Japan's tea industry landscape.

Why Is Shizuoka Declining?

According to the MAFF statistics and reporting by Daiichi-TV (Shizuoka's local broadcaster), the decline in Shizuoka's aracha output is attributed to climate-related factors, among other challenges. Shizuoka Governor Heita Suzuki acknowledged the results, stating it was "very disappointing" and emphasizing that "strengthening the production base is critical." He added that the prefecture will continue working with both the public and private sectors toward the revitalization of Shizuoka tea.

Broader structural issues in Shizuoka's tea industry — including an aging farming population, increasing farm abandonments, and rising production costs — have compounded the impact of unfavorable weather conditions over recent harvest seasons.

What This Means for US Matcha Buyers

For café owners, beverage directors, and procurement teams in the United States who source Japanese matcha, these production shifts carry practical implications:

• Shizuoka-origin matcha may continue to face supply constraints and potential price pressure due to reduced aracha volumes.
• Kagoshima-origin matcha is becoming an increasingly significant part of Japan's matcha supply chain, with growing output and competitive pricing.
• Both regions produce high-quality tencha (碾茶) — the shade-grown tea leaf that is stone-ground into matcha — though regional flavor profiles differ. Shizuoka matcha is often noted for its balanced umami and mild bitterness, while Kagoshima matcha can exhibit a brighter, slightly sweeter character.
• Buyers relying on single-origin Shizuoka matcha should communicate closely with their Japanese suppliers about availability and harvest forecasts for 2025 and the upcoming 2026 season.

The Bigger Picture: Japan's Matcha Export Boom Continues

Despite the regional production shifts, global demand for Japanese matcha remains strong. The US market in particular has seen sustained growth in matcha-based beverages, driven by specialty cafés, health-conscious consumers, and the expanding use of matcha in food and beverage applications. Japan's overall tea export value has continued to grow year-over-year, with matcha consistently leading as the top exported tea product by value.

For importers and buyers, staying informed about regional production dynamics — not just overall Japanese export volumes — is essential for making smart sourcing decisions in a competitive and rapidly evolving market.

Source:
Daiichi-TV (静岡第一テレビ) via Yahoo! Japan News, February 21, 2026
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/61e28b69265a6316bda22e67a80cac3c8e02fba6