The average retail price for fresh cow's milk in Japan stood at over *** Japanese yen per liter in 2024. The retail price of fresh milk rose steadily in the last decade, remaining above *** yen per liter in recent years.

Milk Price in Japan - 2023. Find the latest marketing data on the IndexBox platform.

In 2022, the average price paid by Japanese households for milk reached a decade-high, amounting to approximately ***** Japanese yen. In contrast, the average price paid for milk accounted for around ***** yen in 2012.

In December 2023, the average retail price for milk per liter in Japan stood at approximately *** Japanese yen. Notably, it experienced a significant surge in August 2023, reaching *** yen per liter, compared to the previous month's *** yen per liter. The lowest price observed was *** yen per liter, recorded consistently in both September and October 2022.

In 2024, after two years of decline, there was growth in the Japanese milk market, when its value increased by 0.5% to $15.6B. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 7.9%. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $20B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

In 2023, the highest average retail price of fresh milk among the ** prefectural capitals in Japan was in Naha, Okinawa prefecture at *** Japanese yen for *** milliliters of fresh milk. Conversely, the lowest average retail price of fresh milk per liter was recorded in Nagano, at *** Japanese yen.

Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): TKY: Food: DPE: Fresh Milk & Dairy Products (FD) data was reported at 124.900 2020=100 in Nov 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 126.200 2020=100 for Oct 2025. Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): TKY: Food: DPE: Fresh Milk & Dairy Products (FD) data is updated monthly, averaging 91.600 2020=100 from Jan 1970 (Median) to Nov 2025, with 671 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 126.800 2020=100 in Sep 2025 and a record low of 35.900 2020=100 in Sep 1970. Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): TKY: Food: DPE: Fresh Milk & Dairy Products (FD) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I: Consumer Price Index: Tokyo: 2020=100.

The average whole fresh milk export price stood at $1,914 per ton in April 2025, picking up by 3.9% against the previous month.

For the third consecutive year, Japan recorded decline in overseas shipments of skim milk, which decreased by -3.6% to 158 tons in 2023.

Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): TKY: MoM: Food: DPE: FD: Fresh Milk: Fresh Milk data was reported at -0.500 % in Nov 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of -0.700 % for Oct 2025. Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): TKY: MoM: Food: DPE: FD: Fresh Milk: Fresh Milk data is updated monthly, averaging 0.000 % from Feb 1975 (Median) to Nov 2025, with 610 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.900 % in Nov 2022 and a record low of -3.300 % in Dec 2017. Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): TKY: MoM: Food: DPE: FD: Fresh Milk: Fresh Milk data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I: Consumer Price Index: Tokyo: 2020=100: MoM% Change.

In 2023, the consumer price index for milk sold in-store in Japan experienced a significant rise, reaching an index of ***** points, compared to ***** points recorded in the preceding year. The lowest price index was recorded in 2007 with a value of **.

Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): W: Food: DPE: FD: Dairy Products: Powdered Milk data was reported at 2.000 Per 10TH in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.000 Per 10TH for Feb 2025. Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): W: Food: DPE: FD: Dairy Products: Powdered Milk data is updated monthly, averaging 2.000 Per 10TH from Jan 1970 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 663 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.000 Per 10TH in Mar 2025 and a record low of 2.000 Per 10TH in Mar 2025. Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): W: Food: DPE: FD: Dairy Products: Powdered Milk data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I008: Consumer Price Index: 2020=100: Fixed Weight.

In 2024, the Japanese whole fresh milk market was finally on the rise to reach $13.9B for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 9.7%. Whole fresh milk consumption peaked at $18.1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

In the fiscal year 2022, the production costs per 100 kilograms of raw milk in Hokkaido Prefecture in Japan amounted to around ***** thousand Japanese yen. Commercial feed costs made up the largest amount, accounting for almost *** thousand yen.

The Japan dairy market size was estimated at USD 60.36 Billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 4.50% through 2034. A key driver of the Japan dairy market is the government's initiative to modernize the dairy sector through a comprehensive five-year policy launched in 2025. This policy focuses on enhancing supply chain resilience, upgrading ageing processing facilities, and promoting the use of domestic feed to reduce reliance on imports, which currently account for 40–60% of dairy farming costs. These measures aim to stabilize production, improve food self-sufficiency, and support rural economies, thereby driving the market to reach USD 93.74 Billion by 2034.

Japan's dairy sector is transforming rapidly owing to government-supported programs and local production trends. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) reported that Japan produced about 7.4 million tonnes of raw milk in FY2023. Government subsidies and feed cost support to dairy farmers have assisted in maintaining production levels despite decreasing herd numbers. Consumer demand is also changing toward more value-added dairy products like cheese and yogurt, especially among the young and urban communities, thereby bolstering the growth of the Japan dairy market.

Product innovation and sustainability initiatives are also visible. For example, in March 2024, Kaneka Corporation introduced "Pur Natur™," a JAS-certified organic milk, as part of its organic dairy business line following the success of its yogurt product lines. Furthermore, the practice of methane-capturing technologies and feed compositions optimized by producers seeks to minimize carbon footprints, consistent with consumer pressure for environmentally friendly products. These advancements show the commitment of the industry to innovation and sustainability, setting up Japan's dairy market for ongoing growth and evolution along with changing consumer values.

In fiscal year 2023, the market size of drinking milk in Japan was valued at over *** billion Japanese yen. Drinking milk refers to liquid products for direct consumption in Japan. It includes fresh milk and a range of processed drinks using milk as a base ingredient. Milk is not always milk The dairy market in Japan is regulated under the Ministerial Ordinance on Milk and Milk Products Concerning Compositional Standards, etc. While sheep’s and goat’s milk are also allowed to be labeled as “milk” in Japan, they play only a minor role within the domestic market. Instead, cow’s milk is processed and distributed in different variants. Fresh whole milk that did not undergo further processing after heat treatment represents the most common form of milk for direct consumption in Japan. Processed products include nutrient-fortified and composition-modified beverages, such as fat-reduced milk and milk mixed with cream or butter. Additionally, other processed milk drinks include flavored and artificially sweetened beverages, such as coffee milk and strawberry milk, commercially known as ichigo o-re. Milk production in Japan Commercial dairy farming in Japan is a heavily protected industry confronted with the challenge of low profit margins and high production costs. Even though it is protected against foreign milk suppliers through tariff quotas, the low self-sufficiency of animal feed makes domestic farmers dependent on imports to keep their dairy cattle well-fed. As price fluctuations in the international grain market, diminishing profits, and the greying society are weighing on dairy farming businesses, government measures were implemented to ensure a stable supply of raw milk. But domestic production of raw milk has been showing a continuous downward trend in the last decade as farmers are struggling to find a successor to take over the business.

In April 2025, the average skim powdered milk import price amounted to $2,981 per ton, picking up by 11% against the previous month.

Analysis of Japan's milk market: consumption and production trends, import/export dynamics, market value forecast to reach $17.1B by 2035, and detailed breakdown by milk types.

Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): Tokyo: Food: DPE: Fresh Milk & Dairy Products (FD) data was reported at 105.000 2005=100 in Jul 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 104.600 2005=100 for Jun 2011. Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): Tokyo: Food: DPE: Fresh Milk & Dairy Products (FD) data is updated monthly, averaging 96.200 2005=100 from Jan 1970 (Median) to Jul 2011, with 499 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 108.200 2005=100 in May 2009 and a record low of 39.700 2005=100 in Sep 1970. Japan Consumer Price Index (CPI): Tokyo: Food: DPE: Fresh Milk & Dairy Products (FD) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I036: Consumer Price Index: Tokyo: 2005=100.

The Japanese powdered milk market is expected to experience a steady increase in demand over the next decade, with forecasted growth in both market volume and value. By 2035, the market is projected to reach 205K tons in volume and $808M in value.