TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 5, 2026--
Sake exports continued to expand in 2025 in both value and volume, with export destinations reaching a record 81 countries and regions. Export value increased 6% year on year to 45.9 billion yen, while export volume rose 8% to 33.55 million liters (3.73 million cases on a 9-liter basis), marking the second-highest export performance on record. The average export unit price per 750 ml bottle declined 2% year on year to 1,026 yen.
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Export value has nearly doubled since 2020, and the CAGR over the past five years reached 14%. This underscores sake’s position as a high-growth category globally.
Asia remained the largest export destination, with export value totaling 28.8 billion yen, representing an 8% increase year on year and accounting for 63% of total export value. North America recorded exports of 12.4 billion yen, a 1% year-on-year decline, making it the only region to fall below the previous year’s level. Although current export value remains modest, Latin America continued to surge, quadrupling in size since 2020 and expanding destination countries to 10.
China was the largest destination country, with export value reaching 13.3 billion yen, up 14% year on year. In contrast, exports to the United States declined 3% year on year to 11 billion yen, reflecting a downturn in the second half of the year. Among the leading export markets, South Korea recorded particularly strong growth, with export value increasing 17% year on year to 4.4 billion yen—4.5 times higher than in 2020. While South Korea’s average export unit price remains below the average, it has continued to rise steadily.
Commenting on this growth, Hitoshi Utsunomiya, Director of the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS), cited heightened international interest following the 2024 registration of traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. He also pointed to strengthened promotional and educational efforts, including participation in international trade fairs, Expo-related events, and educational programs conducted jointly with the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.
Looking ahead, the JSS will continue bolstering its activities not only in established markets but also in emerging regions such as Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America. Through initiatives that emphasize sake’s pairing potential, experiential value, and cultural significance, the JSS aims to further communicate the appeal of sake to consumers worldwide.
Sake Export Performance by Country (Top 10, 2025)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired guard Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, adding a proven scorer to bolster their depth for the stretch run in the stacked Western Conference playoffs race.
The trade was finalized by the NBA and announced about six hours after the deadline passed on a hectic day around the league. The Timberwolves sent 2024 first-round draft pick Rob Dillingham, deep reserve Leonard Miller and four second-round draft picks to the busy and rebuilding Bulls for Dosunmu and forward Julian Phillips. The Bulls made seven deals this week.
Dosunmu, who was a second-round pick by his hometown Bulls in the 2021 draft, is making about $7.5 million in the final season of his current contract. The 26-year-old is averaging a career-high 15 points per game and shooting a career-best 45.1% from 3-point range. His role with the Bulls has fluctuated over five seasons, with 164 starts in 324 games, but he will fill an obvious need for the Timberwolves for more offense off the bench.
The Timberwolves, who are 32-20 and entered the day in fifth place in the West, were considered one of the primary suitors for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who wound up staying put. They traded revered veteran Mike Conley to the Bulls in a three-team deal earlier in the week. Conley was then traded with guard Coby White to the Charlotte Hornets for a package including guard Collin Sexton. Conley was waived by the Hornets on Thursday, thus making him eligible to re-sign with the Timberwolves.
Dillingham was the eighth pick out of Kentucky prior to last season, but the 21-year-old was slow to develop and had yet to earn the trust of the coaching staff as a true point guard the team has needed in light of Conley's declining production. Dillingham is averaging 3.5 points, 1.7 assists and 9.3 minutes this season, appearing in 35 games.
The 6-foot-10 Miller, a second-round draft pick in 2023, has appeared in only 49 games for the Timberwolves. The 6-foot-6 Phillips was also taken in the second round of the 2023 draft by the Bulls and played sparingly since.
The Bulls also dealt Nikola Vucevic and Kevin Huerter in earlier trades this week in an effort to shake up a franchise mired in mediocrity, signaling a wholesale rebuilding project.
The Timberwolves beat Toronto on Wednesday and overlapped in the city with the Bulls, who arrived to play there on Thursday, assumedly making the logistics easier for Dosunmu and Phillips to join their new team. The Timberwolves host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham looks on during the national anthem prior to an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Chicago Bulls' Ayo Dosunmu gets past Milwaukee Bucks' Amir Coffey during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
