July 30, 2010

Japan's salmon consumption rises 8.6% on-year

Japanese salmon consumption has reached around 440,000 tonnes in 2009, up 8.6% as compared with 2008.

The total tuna consumption in Japan has been restored in the average level in recent years as supply increases as well as household consumption is improved, according to analysts. However, keeping retail prices low has led this market no longer an export destination in the remaining months of 2010.

According to preliminary estimate, the total supply of salmon for the Japanese market in 2009 is about 591,400 tonnes, up 4.9% compared with the previous year mainly due to an improved domestic output. Contrary to the improved quality of domestic production, import supplies again strongly reduced the activity of red salmon fishing with nets. Russia's production ban of Atlantic salmon resulted in serious decline. The result is a shortage of raw materials for processing products such as sliced sashimi.

The biggest problem with the Japanese salmon market today is the wholesale price of salmon fillets did not have signs of growth despite changes in supply and demand, making profits of importers and processing severely affected. Immediate consequences have been the concern and salmon shortage has begun to appear. Salmon wholesale prices rose JPY100 (US$1.16) per kg, up to JPY700 (US$8.12) per kg.