Sake shipment volume in Japan 2012-2021

In 2021, the shipment volume of rice wine (sake) in Japan amounted to around 512.4 thousand kiloliters. This represented a decrease from almost 660 thousand kiloliters shipped a decade ago. Sake refers to a fermented Japanese alcoholic beverage made from rice.

Sake manufacturing

The main ingredient in sake manufacturing is polished rice, with general table rice used in food processing and sake rice suitable for brewing being approved as raw materials. Domestic manufacturers process over 200 thousand tons of rice per year, but demand has been declining in recent years as other liquors are dominating the Japanese alcoholic beverage market. While it retains its importance as a national beverage, sake production has been hitting decade-lows as popular drinks like beer and liqueur are enjoying growth within the industry.

Domestic sake market

Sake is a major segment in the Japanese liquor export market, but the targets of manufacturers are predominantly domestic consumers. Apart from ceremonial uses in rituals, sake is a popular beverage of choice for consumption outside of the home, with the rice wine found on the shelves of most bars, izakayas, and high-end restaurants. Furthermore, the clear liquor is served during holidays like New Year and at celebratory events like weddings.