Japanese Mikan / Unshu Mandarin

Unshu Mikan (温州みかん) — Ehime / Wakayama · Ehime / Wakayama, Japan
Fresh & Specialty Fruit Chilled Growing export

Seedless, easy-peel satsuma mandarin — Japan's top fruit by production volume. Exported as premium gift citrus to North America and Asia, though volumes have faced competition from South Korean and Chinese mandarins. Export strategy now centers on Southeast Asia and premium gifting.

The supplierRegional JA (Ehime, Wakayama, Shizuoka); very large cooperative base; Unshu mikan has a notable confirmed export history to Canada/US ('Satsuma' winter mandarin trade established for decades) under bilateral quarantine protocol. Strong B2B export infrastructure.
Why it sells abroadEasy-peel, seedless, sweet 'Satsuma' winter mandarin; broad consumer appeal and proven N. American demand.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsPhytosanitary certificate: CONFIRMED-required (MAFF). US market access for fresh Unshu (Satsuma) oranges: CONFIRMED under APHIS systems-approach quarantine protocol (canker-free export areas, grove/packinghouse inspection, surface sterilization; Federal Register rules 2014, updated from 2003 Honshu rule). JGAP / GLOBALG.A.P widely: NOT publicly verified at brand level.
Pack formatsExport carton ~5-10kg loose or trayed; gift box (cushioned, branded) ~2-3kg; reefer-palletized. (draft retained)
Shelf life~2-4 weeks at 3-8 C (good keeper among citrus). (draft retained)
StorageChilled 3-8 C; relatively good keeper; cold-chain.
Minimum orderTypical: pallet to reefer FCL for sea freight; LCL/air for premium gift.
Lead timeTypical: 1-3 weeks incl. phytosanitary inspection and protocol compliance.
CapacitySeasonal: ~Nov-Jan (early types from Oct); winter mandarin season.
Container loadTypical: reefer FCL (40ft) for export volume to N. America; LCL/air for Asian gift grade.
PricingEstimate: accessible-premium; bulk reefer FOB competitive vs other Japanese fruit. Volume-driven.
OEM / private labelBrand only (regional brand); gift-box private labeling negotiable; no producer-level private-label program publicly verified.
Wholesale & MOQContainer/airfreight consignments via regional JA (Ehime/Wakayama) & trading houses
Key exporters & distributorsJA Ehime / JA Wakayama, JA Zen-Noh, fruit trading houses
Export regulationPhytosanitary certificate; satsuma mandarin has long-standing market access to North America (Canada/US winter 'satsuma' season). Fruit-fly/citrus-pest protocols per market.
Market demandEstablished US/Canada winter 'Satsuma' market; growing HK/SG/TH; supermarket and seasonal gift channels.
How to source itRegional JA export desks (Ehime, Wakayama, Shizuoka) / JA Zen-Noh citrus; established citrus exporters; US shipments under APHIS systems approach; JETRO/GFP; FOODEX.
Verified sourceshttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/04/10/2014-08019/importation-of-fresh-unshu-oranges-from-japan-into-the-united-states; https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/introduction/english_exp.html
MakerRegional JA (Ehime, Wakayama, Shizuoka)
OriginEhime / Wakayama, Japan
CategoryFresh & Specialty / Fruit
Available inCA, US, HK +2 more
HandlingChilled
Price tierPremium
ChannelMass
Export readinessGrowing export
HS code0805.21
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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.