Market report
HOKKAIDO SEAFOOD MARKET JOINT SEAFOOD INDUSTRY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 22 AUGUST 2018
SUMMARY
Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone is the world’s 6th largest supporting seafood production of 4.82 million tonnes the 7th largest in the world. Hokkaido is the northern prefectural island of Japan surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Japan Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. Hokkaido has been the largest source of seafood in Japan for many generations with catch in 2015 of 1,500 million tonnes accounting for 22.3 per cent of Japan’s total production.
Products include some of Japan’s most valuable and staple seafood including scallops, salmon, Kombu seaweed, saury and urchin and squid. Seafood also supports a sophisticated value chain in Hokkaido where over 20 per cent of Japan’s catch are processed. However with the decline in local seafood catch, the processing industry has contracted and now many traditional locally focused processors must look offshore for new sources of seafood supply. The processing industry is also supported by a sophisticated equipment and service industry which also must start to focus on new markets offshore.
Working with JETRO and Hokkaido’s prefectural government Austrade is developing a joint industry business program that can assist the industry in both countries to create new opportunities in the seafood market.
PRODUCTION STATISTICS
Due to tighter international fishery regulation and impact of global warming, seafood production has declined in Hokkaido since 1990.
Production and Value of Wild Catch and Aquaculture Hokkaido 3.00 5,000 2.50 4,000 2.00 3,000 1.50 2,000 1.00 0.50 1,000
0.00 0
1993 2001 2009 1990 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Source: Hokkaido Government Department of Seafood and Forestry
PRODUCTION BY SPECIES IN HOKKAIDO IN 2015
Many fish species are only caught in Hokkaido and cannot be supplied from other Japanese fisheries.
Click here for the detailed table
Source: Hokkaido Government Department of Seafood and Forestry
HOKKAIDO LOCAL CATCH
Below are the specific species of local fish where significant shortages have arisen in Hokkaido. Information was obtained by Austrade Sapporo from interviews with local companies and from the media which regularly report shortages.
Sea Urchin Alaska Pollack(Cod) Squid Crab Sea cucumber
All year (depends on All year (depends on February - April and All year All year species) species) June - September Octopus Ocean Perch Saury Cod Prawn
All year (depends on All year July - October October - May All year species)
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Herring(and roe) Salmon (and roe) Atka mackerel Shishamo smelt Kombu seaweed
April - July and All year (depends All year All year September - December October - November on species)
Sources include: Fish guide prepared by the Hokkaido government, Department of fishery and forestry (http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/sr/ske/osazu/oz02cal/index.htm)
PROCESSED SEAFOOD IN HOKKAIDO
According to a survey conducted by Hokkaido government, the number of seafood processors have declined from a peak in 1987 of 1,478 processors to 888 in 2015. There is no detailed public statistic data available however the production of processed seafood volume in Hokkaido in 2014 was 645,000 tonnes and value 645 billion yen. (Approximately A$7.7billion A$=JPY83 as of August 2018)
Following are the examples of processed seafood.
1. Dried seafood
Products: Dried Herring
Producer: Kanetoishi Domon Shoten Co Ltd
Price: 1,500 yen/kg
Website: http://kanetoichi.jp/about/
2. Fish cakes Products: Fish cake with crab
Producer: Kamaei Co Ltd
Price: 1,400 yen/150g
Website: http://www.kamaei.co.jp/
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3. Salted products shiokara,
Products: Salted and gut marinated squid
Producer: Sato Suisan Co Ltd
Price: 649 yen/110g in jar
Website (Japanese only): https://www.sato-suisan.co.jp/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=70
4. Cooked Products
Product: Rice filled squid
Producer: Ikameshi Abeshoten Co Ltd
Price: 780 yen for the lunchbox (picture)
Website: http://www.ikameshi.co.jp/index.html
5. Fermented or pickled products
Product: Hokkaido speciality salmon fermented with rice
Producer: Nakai Hidesaku Shoten Co Ltd
Price: 1,836 yen/300g
Website: http://www.nakai-izushi.com/index.php
NEXT STEP
Austrade is pleased to assist you to determine the market potential of your products with Japan. This report has picked up major data from available sources but new opportunities may be identified throughout this program.
For further information, please contact: Ryan Butta Ronald Green Advisor Trade Commissioner Austrade/TradeStart Austrade Sapporo E: [email protected] E: [email protected]
Disclaimer Austrade does not endorse or guarantee the performance or suitability of any introduced party or liability for the accuracy or usefulness of any information contained in this Report. Please use commercial discretion to assess the suitability of any business introduction or goods and services offered when assessing your business needs. Austrade does not accept liability for any loss associated with the use of any information and any reliance is entirely at the user’s discretion.
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