Poor eel catch in Japan leads to high prices, urgent calls for int'l resource management

News 08:13 26/06/2013 502
Broiled eel, a dish that is traditionally enjoyed throughout Japan on the Midsummer Day of the Ox, may again be out of reach for many people this year.

According to a Fisheries Agency announcement on May 30, the total amount of elvers (young eel) presently being cultivated in Japan dipped to around 12 tons by the end of April -- an additional 25 percent decrease over last year's already low figures.

As more than 99 percent of all domestically consumed eel are farmed, elver numbers have a direct impact on retail sales. While eel farmers' purchase price of one kilogram of elvers was around 300,000 yen in 2006, this year it rose to a staggering 2.6 million yen. The number of eel in circulation peaked in 2000 at 160,000 tons, dipping to 37,000 tons in 2012.

Due to rising farming costs coupled with the total shortage of eel, the wholesale price of live eel stood at 4,560 yen per kilogram during last year's shipping peak in July -- a 25 percent increase over the previous year's figures. The price hikes are being felt by consumers, who are now facing steeper eel prices both in specialty restaurants and at the supermarket. In some cases, grocery store prices for broiled eel have risen nearly threefold.

The consequence of such increases has been a reduction in consumption of the fish, with wholesale prices accordingly dropping from the high rate of nearly 5,000 yen per kilogram last May to 4,209 yen per kilogram this April -- although representing a 1.5-fold increase over figures from two years prior. In an effort to rebuild the existing stock of eel and hold down prices, the Fisheries Agency began conducting ecological studies and releasing farmed eel last year. Major fishing areas including Aichi, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures have accordingly implemented such measures as shortening the elver fishing season, and restricting the fishing of adult eel as they head downriver to spawn. In addition to continuing high purchase prices being paid by eel farmers, poor fish catches have also been continuing throughout the whole of eastern Asia.

As a result, the price of imported eel -- which represent some 50 to 60 percent of the total number in circulation -- has taken an inevitable upswing as well. In China and Taiwan, which supply more than half of Japan's total overseas imports, the total amount of elvers has stagnated -- resulting in expectations for the total circulation in Japan to decrease this year compared with last year's total. "We see nothing to suggest that this year's retail prices will be decreasing," commented Fisheries Agency executives on May 30.

The Fisheries Agency has been holding discussions with China and Taiwan since last September aimed at undertaking joint resource management of the eels. Talks have not progressed beyond sharing fishing and breeding-related data, however, leading to increasingly urgent calls for international resource management.

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

VASEP Data Power – A comprehensive data and tool ecosystem for Vietnam’s seafood businesses

 |  21:09 17/12/2025

Building on over three decades of trusted leadership, VASEP is proactively shaping a Dynamic Knowledge Ecosystem where data is transformed into actionable value and forward-looking insights for the business community

An Giang: Developing climate-resilient marine aquaculture

 |  09:01 16/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.

Vietnam pangasius in China: Stable demand, intensifying competition

 |  10:02 11/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.

Vietnam’s lobster exports set for another strong surge in 2025

 |  08:58 09/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.

Da Nang city takes strong action against IUU fishing

 |  11:12 05/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.

Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel drop nearly 50% in the first 9 months of 2025

 |  09:13 04/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.

Vietnam exports first shipment of 700 tons of tilapia to Brazil

 |  09:42 02/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.

Pangasius Exports in October 2025: Positive Growth Momentum Led by China's Recovery

 |  12:40 28/11/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.

Appeal letter: Calling for Support to overcome the consequences of flooding in the central provinces

 |  10:39 27/11/2025

In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.

Raw shrimp prices remain stable, slight declines in some sizes at the end of October 2025

 |  09:04 26/11/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC