Japan has become one of the top buyers of Bhutanese agricultural products, importing goods worth Nu 30.40 million last year. This made up 17.47% of Bhutan’s total agricultural exports to countries outside India and Bangladesh.

According to official records, the main products exported to Japan were Matsutake mushrooms, buckwheat, natural honey, and Cordyceps. Matsutake mushrooms were the top item, with 4.77 metric tonnes exported by four Bhutanese businesses, earning Nu 29.45 million.

Other exports included 20.24 metric tonnes of buckwheat worth Nu 0.85 million, 0.15 metric tonnes of natural honey worth Nu 0.07 million, and a small amount of Cordyceps (0.06 kg) valued at Nu 0.03 million.

However, no agro-processed products were exported to Japan during the year, showing a gap and opportunity for Bhutanese businesses to explore value-added products for the Japanese market.

Meanwhile, Bhutan’s agro-processed exports to Nepal were worth Nu 3.27 million, with only two products exported.

Trade officials say Japan’s growing demand shows strong potential for Bhutan’s agriculture sector to expand into premium international markets with better packaging, quality, and processing.

By Kinley Yonten