Details of availability are included in the Advice on Publications Available . Emerging Opportunities in Agriculture 9. Major consumers include Japan, China and South Korea. The seed resembles that of mung beans, but has a maroon seed coat and is usually slightly larger. Adzuki seed is utilised in many ways in these Asian countries, but the most common is as a highly sweetened bean paste with a range of different flavours and textures, as well as sweet soups and desserts.
Bean paste is made into a large range of cakes, buns, confectionery, ice blocks and drinks.
Good opportunities exist for export of adzuki beans from Australia, particularly to Japan, where many of these products are considered luxuries. This has been reflected in the high prices paid for best quality grain. Japan imposes import quotas each year, based primarily on their domestic production, leading to some market volatility. Value-adding through paste manufacture in Australia would lead to more stable returns to growers. Adzuki bean is grown in summer in Australia.