Why source from Japan
Yamada Bee Farm and Akita Bee Cooperative anchor Japan's premium royal-jelly supply chain; 10-HDA standardisation and traceability differentiate from Chinese mass-market supply.
Key spec
10-HDA content 1.4-2.0% (fresh-equivalent basis); protein 12-18%; vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) carry-over.
Typical end-product
Premium beauty supplements, anti-ageing skincare, drinkable royal-jelly retail.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 1–10 kg fresh; 100 g – 1 kg lyophilised
- Typical lead time
- 8–14 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Okayama (Kagamino), Akita, Hokkaido, (Imported Chinese for industrial scale)
- Category
- functional-food-ingredients
- Harvest season
- Year-round (peak May – September)
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; FFC notifications exist; cosmetic JSCI listed
- INCI name
- Royal Jelly Extract
- Japanese name
- ローヤルゼリー
- Romaji
- Rōyaru Zerī
About this ingredient
Honey-bee secretion fed to queen larvae and bees in early life; harvested commercially as a high-amino-acid, high-protein supplement and cosmetic ingredient. Japan domestic royal-jelly production is dwarfed by Chinese supply, but Japanese cosmetic and supplement OEMs distinguish themselves on Japan-domestic + traceability + 10-HDA (10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid) standardisation. Yamada Bee Farm (Okayama) and Akita Bee Cooperative are the most-recognised Japanese sources; supply is heavily marketing-driven, with 'fresh royal jelly' (vs lyophilised) commanding multiplier pricing in Japan retail.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; FFC notifications exist; cosmetic JSCI listed |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; CosIng listed; allergen labelling for some markets |
| United States | GRAS by long history of use; bee-product allergen labelling |
| China | Imported food / cosmetic; GACC food facility registration |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Royal Jelly is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Shiso / Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
紫蘇葉エキス
INCI Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract / Perilla Frutescens Red Leaf Extract; MOQ from 10–30 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Kuromoji / Lindera Umbellata
黒文字
INCI Lindera Umbellata Leaf Oil / Branch Oil / Branch-Leaf Extract; MOQ from 100 ml – 1 L essential oil; 1–10 kg dried.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Rice-Derived Glucosylceramide
米由来グルコシルセラミド
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 5–20 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Royal Jelly faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Sasa Bamboo Leaf Extract
クマザサエキス
Alkaline polysaccharide 5-15%; chlorophyll-derived bioactives 0.5-2%; minimal allergen profile.
Simpler in China· shares 4 categories
Ashitaba (Tomorrow's Leaf)
アシタバ / 明日葉
Total chalcone (xanthoangelol + 4-hydroxyderricin) 0.5-2.5% dry leaf; chlorogenic acid 1-3%; vitamin K 600-1,200 µg/100g.
Simpler in China· shares 4 categories
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
イチョウ葉エキス
Flavone glycoside 24-26%; terpene lactone 6-9%; ginkgolic acid <5 ppm; bioactive: bilobalide, ginkgolide A/B/C.
Simpler in China· shares 4 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Yamada Bee Farm Co., Ltd.
株式会社山田養蜂場
Kagamino, OkayamaEst. 1948English supportExport experienceFSSC 22000Organic JAS (selected)Yamada Bee Farm fresh and lyophilised royal jelly
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
小林製薬株式会社
Chuo, OsakaEst. 1886English supportExport experienceISO 9001GMP (pharmaceutical)OTC supplement-grade royal jelly
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Last updated: 2026-05-05