TransportRail and refrigerated road transport are used in Japan for transport to wholesale markets, storage warehouses and retail distribution centres. Rail transport is not refrigerated and dry ice may be shovelled onto the top of the cartons to aid in temperature maintenance.Refrigerated road transport is set at 0-2°C.

Production/HarvestBroccoli is produced all year round in Japan. Farm systems, including plant density, are very similar to Australia, with average plant stands between 44,000 – 50,000 plants/ha. Seedlings are the main source of plant establishment in Japan. Broccoli is hand harvested by knives into bins before being transported to the packing shed within two hours of harvest. Knives with different blade lengths are used so the harvesting staff can determine if field broccoli is in the desired specification. In September 2014 Japanese harvesters were observed using 150mm knives when cutting broccoli in Hokkaido.

PackingAfter harvest, broccoli is hydro cooled to reduce field heat. Broccoli is tipped from the bins into a hydro cooler for a period of 20 minutes with water at 2°C. Broccoli is then placed into stackable plastic crates for overnight storage in a cold room at 0°C – 1°C.After cold storage, the broccoli is trimmed before packing into Styrofoam cartons in counts of 15, 20 or 24 crowns. Broccoli that is damaged or not suitable for fresh retail markets is packed into plastic crates for processing into florets. After packing, broccoli is flake iced and lidded. Iced broccoli is stacked onto pallets of 48 cartons for road transport or stacked onto rail transport containers. For a grower to breakeven, they would need a price of ¥1,800/carton (A$18.80 at Sept 2014)

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Japanese broccoli supply chain

This project has been funded by HIA using the vegetable levy and matched funds from the Australian Government

Market Analysis and Strategy: Broccoli to Japan

Wholesale marketsJapanese broccoli is shipped directly to supermarket distribution centres or wholesale warehouses where cold storage is available. Wholesale markets and distribution centres are located in various locations throughout Japan. Tokyo wholesale markets are closed on Wednesdays. Some Japanese broccoli is packed into Styrofoam cartons which have a drain plug fitted. This allows easy draining of water from melted ice and allows re–icing for extended storage if necessary. In September 2014, Japanese broccoli was being sold at the wholesale markets in Tokyo for ¥2,000 to ¥2,800 (A$20.61 to A$28.86) carton which was approximately ¥100 (A$1.03) per broccoli crown.

RetailJapanese broccoli was always presented well in retail outlets. Japanese broccoli, distinguished by the untrimmed stems, was sold at a premium to imported product when both lines were supplied. An 8% VAT is applied at retail sales in Japan for all food, including imported produce. Some Japanese broccoli was sold pre-packaged in store.Japanese produce, prefecture where grown and sustainable agriculture practices of Japanese production was often promoted in stores.

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