Sudachi & Kabosu (specialty acidic citrus)

Tokushima Sudachi (すだち) / Oita Kabosu (かぼす) · Tokushima (sudachi) / Oita (kabosu), Japan
Fresh & Specialty Yuzu & Citrus Chilled Growing export

Sudachi (Tokushima) and kabosu (Oita) are small, intensely aromatic green acidic citrus used as Japanese culinary garnishes and juice — niche premiums alongside yuzu. They are gaining traction with Western chefs and craft-beverage makers. Fresh fruit ships under citrus phytosanitary access; bottled juice/zest ships ambient and broadly. Sold as fresh fruit, bottled juice and powders.

The supplierTypical: Tokushima/Oita citrus co-ops; the regions hold near-total national share of these fruits.
Why it sells abroadDistinctive Japanese acidic citrus with growing Western chef and craft-beverage adoption; processed forms ship globally.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsHACCP at juice plants (industry norm). Oita Kabosu is a registered GI (confirmed, MAFF GI #33). JGAP: not verified. Some organic kabosu exists (one organic farm in Oita) but not the general supply.
Pack formatsFresh cartons; bottled 100% juice (100ml/150ml/360ml etc.); zest powder. Juice confirmed; powder plausible.
Shelf lifeFresh 2-3 weeks chilled; bottled juice months to ~12 (per pack).
StorageFresh: chilled. Bottled juice: refrigerate; some shelf-stable.
Minimum orderTypical: pallet (fresh); case (juice)
Lead timeTypical: 1-2 weeks (fresh) / 3-5 weeks (juice)
CapacityFresh harvest Aug-Oct; juice year-round
Container loadTypical: LCL reefer (fresh); ambient LCL (juice)
PricingTypical: niche premium citrus pricing
OEM / private labelBottled-juice private label via JA/exporter — JA Higashi Tokushima sells 100% additive-free sudachi juice; multiple packers bottle Oita kabosu juice. Co-pack plausible; not explicitly advertised as OEM.
Wholesale & MOQTypical: fresh JPY 1,500-4,000/kg; bottled juice premium
Key exporters & distributorsJA Zen-Noh export desk, Tokushima/Oita prefectural exporters, specialty importers
Export regulationFresh sudachi/kabosu (citrus) require import permit + MAFF phyto and follow citrus access (open to SG, HK, TH; EU/US fresh citrus from Japan generally restricted). Bottled juice/zest powder is processed and ships broadly to US/EU/Asia with standard food compliance.
Market demandTypical: niche but rising in US/EU gourmet and bar channels
How to source itJA Tokushima/JA Higashi Tokushima (sudachi, ~98% of national output) and Oita kabosu packers (~99% national output) -> specialty exporter -> gourmet/foodservice. Exported to France/UK/US confirmed.
Verified sourceshttps://gi-act.maff.go.jp/en/register/entry/33.html (Oita Kabosu registered GI); https://www.umamiparis.com/en/sudachi/534-jus-de-sudachi-de-ja-higashi-tokushima-360ml.html (JA Higashi Tokushima sudachi juice, exported)
MakerJA Tokushima (sudachi) / JA Oita (kabosu)
OriginTokushima (sudachi) / Oita (kabosu), Japan
CategoryFresh & Specialty / Yuzu & Citrus
Available inFR, US, GB +3 more
HandlingChilled
Price tierPremium
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessGrowing export
HS code0805.90 (fresh) / 2009.39 (juice)
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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.