April 20, 2011

Radiation fears weigh down Japan's seafood, farm exports

Japan's exports of farm produce and seafood remain sluggish on falling overseas demand since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Northcoop Gyoren Co., a Sapporo-based seafood exporter, stopped shipping scallops and some fish to China in mid-March. The firm judged it would be difficult to keep seafood fresh, given that radiation tests on Japanese products in places such as Shanghai have extended the time it takes to pass customs. It also scrapped a plan to export 200 tonnes of scallops in April and May.

A Chiba Prefecture-based seafood exporter quickly switched the direction of mackerel shipments to domestic customers as countries in Europe and the Middle East have tightened restrictions on exports from Japan.

Some countries have not clarified policy on the handling of Japanese food exports, with an official at a major seafood company, saying, "I hope ships on their way overseas won't end up having to turn back to Japan."

Yamagataken Shokunikukosha Co. exports 20 tonnes of pork to Hong Kong annually, but expects its shipments there to fall by about 75% in April.

Against this backdrop, the Farm Ministry has pulled out of overseas food trade shows.