AmeKazeTaiyo Inc. (Headquarters: Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, President and CEO: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Stock Code: 5616, hereinafter "the Company"), which operates "Pocket Marche" (Pokemaru), one of Japan's largest direct sales apps connecting producers and consumers, conducted interviews with ume producers registered on Pocket Marche in Wakayama Prefecture.

In interviews with two producers, responses indicated that the "growth conditions for this year's ume were poor" due to the effects of weather such as a mild winter and low rainfall. Specifically, both producers cited a decrease in harvest volume as a concrete impact, and stated that ume growth conditions have been deteriorating for the past several years. In response to this situation, some producers adjusted the number of listings on Pocket Marche, shortened the sales period, and revised prices. Producers also voiced sentiments such as "We want consumers to know and understand the changing conditions of our production areas year by year."

[Background]

In recent years, "Ume Shigoto" (ume work), which involves making ume syrup, pickled plums, and other products by hand, has become widely popular. Pocket Marche's search traffic data shows that while searches for the single keyword "ume" decreased compared to the same period last year, click-through rates for search queries with strong purchase intent, such as "ume mail order" and "ume order," increased by 39.7% year-on-year. Furthermore, searches specifying particular ume varieties, such as "Akane" and "Koume," also increased on major landing pages compared to the same period last year, indicating a trend of consumers searching with interest in specific types of ume.

On the other hand, this season's ume harvest volume decreased due to factors like weather, which also affected the number of listings and sales periods on Pocket Marche. However, the reality is that these production site conditions are difficult to see within consumers' daily purchasing behavior. This survey result is being released with the aim of broadly communicating the actual conditions at production sites through ume, which is receiving renewed consumer interest due to "Ume Shigoto."

[Survey Results]

◆Summary

- Responses regarding this year's ume growth conditions were "somewhat poor" and "very poor."

- Factors affecting growth included "mild winter," "low rainfall," and "pest damage," with the main impact being "a decrease in harvest volume."

- Both producers responded that "growth conditions have been on a downward trend for the past few years."

- Producers expressed opinions such as "We want consumers to know the changing conditions of our production areas year by year" and the difficulty of continuing sales amidst unstable harvest volumes and quality.

◆2026 Ume Growth Conditions Were "Somewhat Poor" or "Very Poor"

Regarding this year's ume growth conditions, one of the two producers responded "somewhat poor," and the other responded "very poor." Factors affecting ume growth included an increase in incomplete flowers due to a mild winter, drought/low rainfall, and pest damage from insects like stink bugs.

◆Main Impact Was "Decrease in Harvest Volume"

As a concrete impact, both producers cited a decrease in harvest volume. Responses indicated harvest volumes were approximately 60-80% and 40-60% of the previous year's levels, showing that this year's ume harvest volume was lower than the previous year.

◆Producers Feel Growth Conditions Have "Deteriorated Over the Past Few Years"

Regarding growth conditions over the past few years, one producer felt they had "deteriorated for three consecutive years," and another felt they had "deteriorated for more than three years."

Wakayama Prefecture's ume have experienced consecutive poor harvests since 2024, affected by an increase in incomplete flowers due to mild winters, hail, stink bugs, and low rainfall. For the 2026 crop as well, surveys in the main production area of Kii-Minami have shown that fruit set was lower than the previous year and the average year due to mild winters and hailstorms (*1), indicating that the production area continues to face severe conditions.

*1: JA Group Wakayama "Information on Ume Production Areas in Kii-Minami for the 2026 Crop": https://www.ja-wakayama.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ume_r080420.pdf

◆Listings on Pocket Marche Also Decreased

Reflecting this year's harvest situation, listings on Pocket Marche have also been affected. Producers reported reducing the number of listings, shortening sales periods, and increasing prices.

Data on Pocket Marche also shows a 25% year-on-year decrease in listings of Wakayama Prefecture ume, and the entire ume category also saw fewer listings than the previous year.

◆Producers Express Desire for Consumers to "Know the Conditions of Production Areas" and Frustration Over "Inability to Secure Reservations"

Producers expressed a desire for consumers to know about the changing conditions of their production areas year by year, and spoke about the difficulty of continuing sales amidst unstable harvest volumes and quality.

- "It would be greatly appreciated if consumers could know about the current situation, which changes year by year, and understand the conditions at that time." (Hashimoto City - Pocket Marche Registered Producer)

- "I want to promise reservations for ume to our regular customers who purchase every year, but it's frustrating that I can't do so due to unstable quality and harvest volume. I would be happy if more customers would purchase our ume regardless of minor blemishes." (Minabe Town - Pocket Marche Registered Producer)

[Media Inquiries]

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[About Pocket Marche]

Pocket Marche (https://poke-m.com/) is a direct sales platform that directly connects producers nationwide with consumers. Its origins lie in the experience of CEO Hiroyuki Takahashi, who witnessed the deepening exchange between urban and rural people in the disaster-stricken areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Our goal is not merely buying and selling, but for producers and consumers to communicate through "food," build relationships, and enrich each other's daily lives.

As of March 2026, approximately 9,200 farmers and fishermen are registered, offering around 13,000 food items and the stories behind them. To date, approximately 12 million communications have been generated through Pocket Marche. Approximately 920,000 consumers are enjoying "food connected with producers."

* "Number of communications between producers and consumers" is calculated by summing posts and messages.

[Company Profile]

With the mission "To stir up urban and rural areas," our company aims to create a vibrant Japanese society for the future by connecting urban and rural areas through producers nationwide, thereby making regions sustainable. We create "related populations" by stirring up and connecting urban and rural areas in multiple domains.

Company Name: AmeKazeTaiyo Inc.

Representative: Hiroyuki Takahashi

Location: 1-29 Nakamachi, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, HANAMAKI BASE

Tokyo Office: MIDORI.so NAGATACHO 4F, 2-5-3 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities:

- Food Business: Direct sales app "Pocket Marche," hometown tax donation platform "Pokemaru Furusato Nozei," etc.

- Travel Business: Accommodation booking site "STAY JAPAN," children's special travel "Pokemaru Oyako Chihou Ryugaku," etc.

- Local Government Business: Services supporting local governments in creating related populations, expanding sales channels, etc.

- Other: Marriage agency "Chiho Kon!", services related to impact co-creation.

URL: https://ame-kaze-taiyo.jp/

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 農業