Fresh Yuzu Fruit

Kochi Yuzu (高知ゆず) · Kochi, Japan
Fresh & Specialty Yuzu & Citrus Chilled Growing export

Whole fresh yuzu citrus — exported since the EU opened to fresh yuzu in 2012, which sharply lifted export value. Seasonal (winter), air-freighted to chefs and specialty grocers in Europe and the US for zest, juice and garnish.

The supplierKochi yuzu growers / JA Kochi; Japan's dominant yuzu region with large grower base; fresh whole-yuzu export is constrained by destination quarantine — fresh fruit access to EU/US is limited, so processed forms dominate. B2B via JA/exporters where fresh access permitted.
Why it sells abroadAromatic Japanese yuzu fruit — peel and juice both prized; intense fragrance unmatched by substitutes.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsPhytosanitary certificate: CONFIRMED-required (MAFF). Market access for FRESH yuzu: CONFIRMED-restricted -- USDA/APHIS PROHIBITS import of fresh yuzu from Japan/Asia (citrus disease/pest quarantine; import only via APHIS permit + phytosanitary cert where conditions allow); processed yuzu (juice/zest/kosho) is the export-friendly route. JGAP / GLOBALG.A.P at grower level: NOT publicly verified.
Pack formatsFresh whole yuzu in cushioned cartons ~2-5kg; gift packs; airfreight for premium/HORECA where access allowed. (draft retained)
Shelf life~2-4 weeks at 5-8 C (firm citrus, fair keeper). (draft retained)
StorageChilled 5-8 C; fair keeper; cold-chain.
Minimum orderTypical: small airfreight cartons for HORECA (where access permitted); seasonal.
Lead timeTypical: 1-3 weeks incl. phytosanitary inspection and access-protocol checks.
CapacitySeasonal: green yuzu ~Aug-Oct, yellow ripe ~Nov-Dec.
Container loadTypical: airfreight cool ULD for fresh fruit; reefer where access allows volume.
PricingEstimate: premium specialty citrus; fresh-fruit scarcity outside Japan raises value.
OEM / private labelBrand only (fresh); processing into juice/zest is the export alternative. No producer-level private-label program publicly verified.
Wholesale & MOQSeasonal airfreight box consignments via JA Kochi / exporters
Key exporters & distributorsJA Kochi / Kochi export program, fruit trading houses
Export regulationPhytosanitary certificate; EU fresh-yuzu access opened 2012 (volume jumped to JPY 89M that year). Citrus-pest protocols per market; seasonal.
Market demandChef/HORECA and gourmet demand FR/GB/DE/US/SG; fresh constrained by quarantine so processed forms fill most demand.
How to source itJA Kochi / yuzu exporters; JETRO/GFP; FOODEX. CONFIRM fresh-fruit market access per destination (fresh prohibited to US) before contracting; processed formats for restricted markets.
Verified sourceshttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2003-title7-vol5/html/CFR-2003-title7-vol5-part319-subpart319-19-.htm; https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-exports/certification
MakerKochi yuzu growers / JA Kochi
OriginKochi, Japan
CategoryFresh & Specialty / Yuzu & Citrus
Available inFR, GB, DE +2 more
HandlingChilled
Price tierPremium
ChannelFoodservice
Export readinessGrowing export
HS code0805.90
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.