Exports of agricultural and seafood products from Hokkaido have seen a significant rise for the first time in three years, primarily driven by the recovery of scallop exports which had previously been impacted by China's ban. Following a recovery period of two years, the export value has rebounded, nearing levels seen before the ban. According to the Hokkaido Agricultural and Rural Development Office, the exported value of these products in 2025 reached 103 billion yen, marking a 19% increase compared to the previous year and indicating robust growth in this vital sector.

Scallops remain the dominant export product from Hokkaido, accounting for about 50% of the total seafood exports. The current year has witnessed a remarkable 40% increase in scallop export value, rising to 56.4 billion yen, largely contributing to the overall rise in exports. While there was a projected dip in 2024, the current recovery aligns closely with scallop export values seen in 2022, providing optimism for Hokkaido's seafood market and indicating a potential return to pre-ban stability.

In terms of regional markets, nearly a quarter of Hokkaido’s seafood exports headed to Vietnam, making it the largest market for these products, followed by the United States and Hong Kong. Despite the positive trends, there are still challenges ahead, as industry experts caution that while these figures suggest recovery, the export market has not yet fully regained its previous strength. This highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in international trade relations, particularly in the context of regulatory impacts, such as those experienced with China’s import policies.