Market Information
Asia Pacific

Japan Fisheries Market Report

May 2002
Agriculture, Fisheries and Consumer
Products Section

Statistical data contained in this report are based on Japanese import statistics published by the Ministry of Finance and the Japan Fish Traders Association. Conversion into Canadian dollars, when necessary, was made using exchange rates announced by the Bank of Japan.

Japan Fisheries Market Report is issued four times a year by the Commercial Section of the Canadian Embassy, Tokyo. For information or to provide your comments please contact the Embassy at Tel. 03-5412-6200; Fax. 03-5412-6327; or E-mail tokyo.fn@dfait-maeci.gc.ca  Users of the information contained in this report are asked to acknowledge the source.

Overview: Total Imports of Fish in 2001

General

Japan's imports of fish and fisheries products recorded the historical high in 2001 with 3.823 million metric tons (mt), an increase of 7.9% from 3.544 million mt in 2000. However, the total import value in terms of yen and Canadian and US dollars decreased from the year before: by 0.8% from 1,734 billion yen in 2000 to 1,720 billion yen in 2001; by 7.8% from Cdn$23.736 billion in 2000 to Cdn$21.893 billion in 2001; and by 11.9% from US$16.129 billion in 2000 to US$14.21 billion in 2001.

Major exporting countries in 2001 were China (US$2.328 billion, increased its share in the total Japan's fish imports from 15.40% in 2000 to 16.35% in 2001), the United States (US$1.440 billion, increased from 9.72% to 10.11%), Thailand (US$1.075 billion, increased from 6.97% to 7.55%), Russia (US$1.043 billion, decreased from 8.02% to 7.33%), South Korea (US$963 million, decreased from 7.21% to 6.77%), Indonesia (US$962 million, increased from 6.40% to 6.76%), Chile (US$729 million, increased from 5.07% to 5.12%), Taiwan (US$678 million, decreased from 4.93% to 4.76%), Norway (US$593 million, increased from 3.79% to 4.16%), Australia (US$482 million, decreased from 3.54% to 3.39%), Vietnam (US$481 million, increased from 3.06% to 3.38%), India (US$447 million, decreased from 3.83% to 3.14%), and Canada (US$409 million, decreased from 3.39% to 2.88%).

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association, Import Statistics.

Live Fish

Total imports of live fish increased by 11.8% in terms of volume from 45,796 mt in 2000 to 51,207 mt in 2001 but the yen import value decreased by 1.2% from 57.723 billion yen in 2000 to 57.041 billion in 2001. Noteworthy for this group of fish in 2001 is a sharp decline of imports of eel fry for farming, which was reduced to almost none from 9,419 kg and 1.518 billion yen in 2000 to 539 kg and 17 million yen in 2001. Contrary to the decline of imports of eel fry, imports of live eel ready for sales on the market recorded an increase of 21.0% from 14,356 mt in 2000 to 17,375 mt in 2001 and the yen import value also increased by 17.1% from 11.818 billion yen in 2000 to 13.84 billion yen in 2001.

Fresh, Chilled or Frozen Fish

Imports of this group of fish recorded an increase of 2.1% from 2,636,986 mt in 2000 to 2,691,594 mt in 2001 but the yen import value recorded a decrease of 2.3% from 1,283.207 billion yen in 2000 to 1,253.692 billion yen in 2001.

Shrimp and prawn has not changed its position as the largest import item among all fish import items. However, the 2001 volume of import in 245,275 mt was a slight decrease of 0.6% from 246,821 mt in 2000 and the yen import value of 276.811 billion yen in 2001 also decreased by 7.2% from 298.205 billion yen in 2000. The Japanese market for shrimp and prawn remained soft throughout 2001.

The second largest import item in this group was salmon and trout. The total volume of salmon and trout imported in 2001 recorded an increase of 19.1% from 232,215 mt in 2000 to 276,480 mt in 2001 but the yen import value decreased by 5.5% from 115.323 billion yen in 2000 to 108.951 billion yen in 2001. An abnormally large influx of farmed coho from Chile into Japan in 2001 has eroded the Japanese salmon market. While a reduction of farming of Chilean coho was announced for 2002, it is, reportedly, only a 5% decrease and Japanese trade people wonder how much this announced decrease of production may have positive effects on the recovery of the salmon market in Japan.

Imports of big-eye tuna increased by 4.4% in volume from 134,734 mt in 2000 to 140,644 mt in 2001 but the yen import value decreased by 4.8% from 96.164 billion yen in 2000 to 91.548 billion yen in 2001. Yellowfin tuna recorded a substantial decreased in 2001, by 11.9% in terms of volume from 136,436 mt in 2000 to 120,218 mt in 2001 and by 9.7% from 55.021 billion yen in 2000 to 49.71 billion yen in 2001. On the other hand, imports of bluefin tuna recorded a substantial increase of 11.5% from 14,274 mt in 2000 to 15,915 mt in 2001 and the yen import value also increased by 16.9% from 35.497 billion yen in 2000 to 41.487 billion yen in 2001. Imports of southern bluefin tuna also increased in 2001, by 6.3% from 10,357 mt in 2000 to 11,013 mt in 2001 and the yen import value increased by 9.7% from 20.809 billion yen in 2000 to 22.828 billion yen in 2001. Albacore tuna recorded a sharp increase of 155.7% from 1,968 mt in 2000 to 5,033 mt in 2001 and the yen import value increased by 167.7% from 618 million yen in 2000 to 1.654 billion yen in 2001. For albacore, imports from Canada accounted for more than 25% of the total import of this species in 2001.

The total import of crab decreased by 13.0% from 124,293 mt in 2000 to 108,139 mt in 2001 and the yen import value decreased by 23.7% from 106.712 billion yen in 2000 to 81.468 billion yen in 2001. Of this total import of crab, imports of snow crab decreased by 7.3% in volume from 60,920 mt in 2000 to 56,476 mt in 2001 and the yen import value decreased by 19.8% from 44.623 billion yen in 2000 to 35.776 billion yen in 2001. In particular, imports from Canada recorded a sharp decrease of 45.4% in volume from 16,050 mt in 2000 to 8,765 mt in 2001 and the yen import value decreased by 46.5% from 17.31 billion yen in 2000 to 9.252 billion yen in 2001. Imports of snow crab from Russia increased by 4.5% in volume from 33,971 mt in 2000 to 35,486 mt in 2001 and the yen import value also increased by 1.1% from 18.997 billion yen in 2000 to 19.197 billion yen in 2001. Imports of king crab also recorded a sharp decrease in 2001, by 10.8% from 43,139 mt in 2000 to 38,409 mt in 2001 and the yen import value decreased by 25.6% from 50.088 billion yen in 2000 to 37.273 billion yen in 2001.

The Japanese government has decided to adopt, as of April 1, 2002, a stricter administration policy toward imports of fish from Russia, in particular various crabs, some of which have been suspected to be poached and smuggled into Japan. It is too early to comment on the effects of this measure on the actual import of fish from Russia into Japan throughout 2002. According to the most recent (preliminary) import statistics for January-March 2002, before such a measure has been implemented, imports of live/fresh king crab from Russia increased by 30.0% from 3,204 mt to 4,168 mt in the same period of 2001 but imports of frozen king crab decreased by 28.5% from 3,467 mt in 2001 to 2,480 mt in 2002. On the other hand, imports of live/fresh snow crab from Russia increased by 85.2% from 2,486 mt in 2001 to 4,605 mt this year and imports of frozen snow crab also increased by 86.5% from 757 mt in 2001 to 1,022 mt in 2002.

Salted, Dried or Smoked Fish

Imports of salted herring roe, the largest item in this group, decreased in terms of both volume and yen value: by 6.9% from 8,510 mt in 2000 to 7,920 mt in 2001 and by 6.1% from 12.897 billion yen in 2000 to 12.116 billion yen in 2001. In 2001, the market structure for the products of salted herring roe has undergone a substantial change, with a greater weight of the products of salted herring roe as a general consumption product at the new-year days than expensive gift boxes. Unprocessed roe packaged in pails have become popular as well.

Imports of salted salmon roe decreased by 5.4% from 4,662 mt in 2000 to 4,410 mt in 2001 but the yen import value recorded only a slight decrease of 0.6% from 6.872 billion yen in 2000 to 6.832 billion yen in 2001. While imports of salted salmon roe from the United States decreased by 10.1% from 3,451 mt in 2000 to 3,104 mt in 2001, imports of salmon roe extracted from farmed salmon which were imported from European countries, such as Denmark and Finland, increased sharply in 2001: imports from Denmark by 11.6% from 596 mt in 2000 to 665 mt in 2001 and those from Finland by 5.8% from 295 mt in 2000 to 312 mt in 2001.

Prepared or Preserved Fish

Of this group, the largest import item, processed eel, recorded a decrease for the first time, by 2.7% from 71,313 mt in 2000 to 69,385 mt in 2001 and the yen import value also recorded a sharp decrease of 21.5% from 84.948 billion yen in 2000 to 66.72 billion yen in 2001. Rapidly increased imports of eel products at low prices had serious effects on the eel farming in Japan and there was a strong opinion among the Japanese farmers that a safeguard measure should be implemented on imports. While the Japanese government did not take such a measure, a movement among the Japanese industry has affected the import of this product in 2001.

Imports from Canada

Japan's imports of fish and fisheries products from Canada decreased by 7.1% from 63,825 mt in 2000 to 59,269 mt in 2001. The total import value in Canadian dollars decreased by 21.7% from Cdn$804.1 million in 2000 to Cdn$629.4 million in 2001 and the value in US dollars by 25.3% from US$547.0 million in 2000 to US$408.7 million. The yen import value recorded a decrease of 15.5% from 58.826 billion yen in 2000 to 49.736 billion yen in 2001.

Imports of finfish from Canada increased by 16.3% from 17,861 mt in 2000 to 20,777 mt in 2001 and the Canadian dollar import value increased by 5.4% from Cdn$142.306 million in 2000 to Cdn$149.921 million in 2001. Of this group of fish, the volume of import of salmon and trout increased by 17.1% from 5,811 mt in 2000 to 6,803 mt in 2001 but the Canadian dollar import value decreased by 3.3% from Cdn$55.403 million in 2000 to Cdn$53.582 million in 2001. Most imports of salmon from Canada are wild salmon but it still was not immune to the price erosion caused by farmed Chilean coho in the Japanese market.

Imports of black cod increased by 17.4% from 1,916 mt in 2000 to 2,250 mt in 2001 and the Canadian dollar import value by 5.0% from Cdn$28.556 million in 2000 to Cdn$29.977 million in 2001. Imports of tuna from Canada recorded a sharp increase of 199.3% from 667 mt in 2000 to 1,996 mt in 2001. Imports of fresh bluefin tuna from Canada decreased by 4.9% from 305 mt in 2000 to 290 mt in 2001 but imports of albacore tuna from British Columbia contributed to this sharp increase in imports of tuna as a whole in 2001. Imports of capelin increased by 26.4% from 1,520 mt in 2000 to 1,922 mt in 2001 but this volume accounts for only 5.3% of the total import of capelin into Japan in 2001.

The total import of crustaceans and molluscs recorded a very sharp decrease in 2001 compared to the previous year. Of this group, the volume of imports of snow crab decreased by as much as 45.5% from 16,080 mt in 2000 to 8,765 mt in 2001 and the Canadian dollar import value decreased by 51.4% from Cdn$239.286 million in 2000 to Cdn$116.264 million in 2001. The demand for snow crab was very weak in the Japanese market in 2001 under the economic recession. Contrary to the Japanese market, the US market for domestic consumption was very strong. These factors combined contributed to such a sharp decrease in import of snow crab in 2001.

Imports of shrimp and prawn recorded also a sharp decrease in 2001. The volume of import decreased by 16.3% from 9,410 mt in 2000 to 7,878 mt in 2001 and the Canadian dollar import value decreased by 27.1% from Cdn$106.017 million in 2000 to Cdn$77.249 million in 2001. The market for northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) was softened worldwide throughout 2001. Imports of molluscs (almost 100% of this being surf clam) recorded a decrease of 11.4% from 2,781 mt in 2000 to 2,465 mt in 2001 and the Canadian dollar import value decreased by 13.6% from Cdn$30.407 million in 2000 to Cdn$26.258 million in 2001.

Of the group other than finfish and crustaceans and molluscs, the volume of import of salted herring roe in 2001 was almost the same as in 2000 at 4,260 mt in 2000 and 4,264 mt in 2001. However, the Canadian dollar import value of this important export item to Japan decreased by 13.0% from Cdn$116.1 million in 2000 to Cdn$101.01 million in 2001. On the other hand, imports of frozen herring roe from Canada recorded a decrease of 5.4% in volume from 4,238 mt in 2000 to 4,011 mt in 2001 but the Canadian dollar import value increased by 20.5% from Cdn$26.751 million in 2000 to Cdn$32.233 million in 2001. A substantial decrease in production of this roe in Ireland has contributed to increasing import price for Canadian roe. Of the salmon roe import, imports of sujiko from Canada in 2001 increased by 14.5% from 131 mt in 2000 to 150 mt in 2001 but those of ikura decreased by 28.4% from 454 mt in 2000 to 325 mt in 2001. Poorer landings of chum salmon in 2000 than 2001 led to a decrease in the production and export of ikura in 2001.

Imports of fresh sea urchin roe decreased by 10.4% from 471 mt in 2000 to 422 mt in 2001 and the Canadian dollar import value decreased by 8.2% from Cdn$29.348 million in 2000 to Cdn$26.939 million in 2001.

The Japanese Market

Given the continuing economic recession and employment uneasiness with no recovery of personal consumption expenditures, the market of fish and fisheries products, as in the case of other products, has not recovered yet. In the market, expensive fish and fisheries products do not sell well. While it is reported that the outbreak of mad cow disease (BSE) had positive effects on the consumption of fish, its effects have not been so great as to change the weakened fish market.

The expenditures on consumption per household for 2001 published by the Japanese government recorded a decrease of 2.7% in nominal terms and 1.8% in real terms (after the adjustment by price fluctuation) from 2000. The expenditures have continued to decrease for nine consecutive years since 1993 after the crush of Japanese bubble economy. This is the longest period of continuing decrease since the government introduced the current system of survey in 1963. According to this survey, expenditures on food, fish and fisheries products and dining out have decreased for four consecutive years. The total expenditures per household in 2001, i.e., 3,704,298 yen, were lower than those expenditures ten years ago (3,734,084 yen in 1990). The expenditures on food per household in 2001 were 943,313 yen (nominal terms), which were lower than 948,104 yen in 1984. Of these expenditures on food, those spent on fish and fisheries products were 106,101 yen (nominal), which recorded a decrease of 3.7% from 2000 and lower than 108,692 yen in 1977. Given the deflationary phase of the Japanese economy, these declining tendency are expected to continue, putting a substantial pressure on the market price of fish and fisheries products in Japan.

1. Salmon

Imports of frozen salmon recorded a historical high in 2001 with 244,414 mt, which was an increase of 20.5% from 202,827 mt in 2000. A sharp increase in imports of farmed coho from Chile was to be noted. Imports of frozen coho salmon amounted to 88,577 mt in 2001, an increase of 32.4% from 66,910 mt in 2000. Of these imports, those from Chile represented 84,804 mt, an increase of 33.6% from 63,488 mt in 2001. Despite such a sharp increase in volume, the yen import value for Chilean coho decreased by 14.5% from 32.230 billion yen in 2000 to 27.568 billion yen in 2001. Imports of frozen trout from Chile also recorded a sharp increase, 44.3% from 33,096 mt in 2000 to 47,744 mt in 2001. Despite such an increase, the yen import value decreased by 1.4% from 15.418 billion yen in 2000 to 15.198 billion yen in 2001. These increases were the major reason for extremely soft salmon market in Japan in 2001.

Imports of frozen sockeye salmon decreased by 8.2% from 54,078 mt in 2000 to 49,633 mt in 2001. Imports from Canada increased by 41.3% from 2,079 mt in 2000 to 2,938 mt in 2001 but the average yen import price (CIF) for Canadian sockeye salmon decreased from 620 yen per kg in 2000 to 583 yen in 2001.

2. Salmon Roe (Sujiko and Ikura)

Total imports of sujiko amounted to 4,410 mt in 2001, a decrease of 5.4% from 4,662 mt in 2000. Imports from Canada increased by 14.5% from 131 mt in 2000 to 150 mt in 2001 and the yen import value increased by 20.6% from 180 million yen in 2000 to 217 million yen in 2001. In addition to these imports of sujiko, there are imports of frozen sujiko from Russia, which is not specified in the customs tariff. According to a fish trade paper (Hokkai Keizai Shimbun) estimate, imports of those frozen sujiko from Russia amounted to 5,762 mt and 4.901 billion yen in 1999; 6,774 mt and 9.886 billion yen in 2000; and 6,011 mt and 8.780 billion yen in 2001. These sujiko are processed into seasoned sujiko in Japan.

The total imports of ikura decreased by 20.3% from 5,015 mt in 2000 to 3,997 mt in 2001 and the yen import value by 28.8% from 14.339 billion yen in 2000 to 10.207 billion yen in 2001. The volume of imports from Canada decreased by 28.4% from 454 mt in 2000 to 325 mt in 2001 and the yen import value decreased by 44.4% from 1.332 billion yen in 2000 to 741 million yen in 2001. It is estimated that due to poor landings of chum salmon in Canada and the United States, pink salmon ikura occupied a substantial portion of imports from these two countries. The greater decrease in the yen import value for Canadian ikura than the decrease in the import volume is attributable to increased imports of low-priced chum ikura. For the current wholesale prices of sujiko and ikura, please refer to the table included in this report.

3. Herring Roe and Herring Roe on Kelp

(a) Salted Herring Roe

A "polarization" of salted herring roe in the consumer market, i.e., one as a traditional expensive year-end gift and other as an ordinary consumption food at the new-year days, has been accelerated in 2001. The demand for salted herring roe products was strong for so-called "brand goods" processed by a few processors. On the other hand, salted herring roe products packaged in cheap styrofoam tray and wrapped with vinyl film sold well for general consumption at the new-year days. While those brand goods were sold at expensive prices, the prices of those for general consumption had to be low regardless of the quality of products. In addition to this structural change of sales of salted herring roe products, seasoned herring roe products made of Pacific herring roe were sold well for general new-year consumption because of its readiness of eating, as no desalting is required for these products. Trade people grope for ways of consumption of salted herring roe as materials for year-round consumption food, on which the future of salted herring roe in the Japanese market is said to depend.

(b) Frozen Herring Roe

Reportedly, the production of 2001-2002 season Irish frozen herring roe was less than 700 mt, a historical low. The total import of frozen herring roe in 2000 decreased by 11.0% from 5,660 mt in 2000 to 5,037 mt. With this decreased supply in 2001, the inventory of frozen herring roe carried over to this year is, reportedly, not large and with the decreased supply from Ireland, the demand for Canadian roe is anticipated to be strong this year.

(c) Herring Roe on Kelp

As indicated in the following table, imports of herring roe on kelp increased by 9.9% from 586 mt in 2000 to 645 mt in 2001 and the yen import value decreased by 19.3% from 1.009 billion yen in 2000 to 1.126 billion yen in 2001. The average import price (CIF) increased, for Canadian products, from 2,118 yen per kg in 2000 to 2,222 yen in 2001. While a small volume has still been used as an expensive seafood by high-end restaurants and sushi bars, sales of products, some of which are processed into seasoned products, have been expanding to general consumers at supermarket stores and department stores. Products of less expensive grades are now used for low-priced kaiten (with belt-conveyor) sushi bars or for takeout sushi shops. As in the case of salted herring roe products, trade people are seeking ways to sell herring roe on kelp products as year-round seafood items.

4. Crab

The total volume of import of snow crab decreased by 7.3% from 60,920 mt in 2000 to 56,476 mt in 2001 and the yen import value decreased by 19.8% from 44.623 billion yen in 2000 to 35.776 billion yen in 2001. A sharp decrease of 45.4% in the volume of import from Canada from 16,050 mt in 2000 to 8,765 mt in 2001 was the major factor for the sharp decline in the total volume of imports. The average yen import price (CIF) into Japan for Canadian snow crab did not change substantially (i.e., 1,078 yen per kg in 2000 and 1,056 yen in 2001). The demand for snow crab was strong for consumption in the United States, and Japanese importers could not "win" the so-called "purchasing competition" with US buyers. While the demand for snow crab in the Japanese market has been improved after the September 11 incident because of increased tourists to Japanese domestic resort areas, the end-user price has still been stagnant under the Japanese economic recession.

As mentioned earlier in this report, imports of snow crab and king crab at low prices from Russia have had adverse effects on snow crab imported from Canada in the consumer market. It has been said for a long time that substantial portion of live snow crab and king crab imported from Russia was poached in Russian waters and imported illegally into Japan. In 2001, Russia exported 13,616 mt of frozen king crab (18,759 mt in 2000) and 13,227 mt of frozen snow crab (11,687 mt in 2000) to Japan. The country also exported, in 2001, 22,393 mt of live/fresh king crab (20,932 mt in 2000) and 22,259 mt of live/fresh snow crab (22,284 in 2000) to Japan. The average import price for Russian snow crab (CIF) was 541 yen per kg in 2001 and that for king crab was 860 yen per kg. These prices are extremely low compared with prices for imports from other countries, including Canada. Given the deflation phase of the Japanese economy, these low prices of Russian crab have been accepted well in the Japanese market and have had adverse effects on sales of Canadian snow crab. In particular, in the case of live/fresh crab imported from Russia, imported crab are not kept in inventory regardless of the import quantity, and are distributed quickly after their importation. When a large quantity is imported, the volume distributed in the market increases greatly and the price goes down, reducing the market price of frozen crab imported from other countries including Canada. The agreement between the Japanese and Russian government to eliminate imports of poached snow crab from Russia to Japan is expected to rectify the long existing abnormal trade practice for crab imported from Russia.

5. Northern Shrimp

As indicated in the table, while imports of similar northern shrimp species from Russia and Argentina recorded a substantial increase in the volume of imports in 2001, the volume of imports and average import prices of northern shrimp from other major suppliers recorded a noteworthy decrease in 2001. The world northern shrimp market has been soft in 2001 and the Japanese market was not an exception to that. In particular, sizes of northern shrimp imported from major suppliers have become smaller than past sizes. Those imports from Russia were large-sized and import prices were lowered in 2001 (from 1,148 yen per kg in 2000 to 888 yen in 2001). Increased imports from Russia at lowered prices had adverse effects on the market prices of northern shrimp imported from other countries including Canada.

(*) Note: Similar species from these two countries.

6. Lobster

While the volume of live and frozen lobster from Canada and the United States in 2001 decreased from 2000, the average yen import price increased in 2001. The outbreak of mad cow disease led to an increase in demand for lobster as a substitute for beef at restaurants, inns and hotels. Given the situation, however, imports of frozen lobster from Canada recorded a sharp decrease of 17.1% from 973 mt in 2000 to 807 mt in 2001. This decline is attributed by industry people to poor landings of lobster at the beginning of season for production of frozen products. Given the lasting economic recession, the market for this expensive import item has not recovered yet as a whole.

7. Herring

Imports of food herring from major exporting countries decreased substantially in 2001 and Japanese herring processors have faced shortage of supply of materials for processing of herring products. Among the major exporters, imports from Russia decreased by 41.0% from 27,271 mt in 2000 to 16,082 mt in 2001 but the yen import value decreased only by 8.2% from 1.442 billion yen in 2000 to 1.324 billion yen in 2001, with an increase of average import price from 52 yen per kg in 2000 to 82 yen in 2001. The major reason for this decease is, reportedly, increased sales from Russian to European countries. According to trade people, this shortage of supply of food herring is expected for this year.

8. Black Cod

The import price for this season's black cod from Alaska ranges, reportedly, from US$4.15 per pound, C&F to US$4.25. The domestic wholesale price estimated from these import prices ranges, according to trade people, from 1,330 yen to 1,350 yen per kg for the 5-7 pound size fish. The domestic price of black cod has been decreasing from its peak price of 1,400 yen per kg in the current year. While the suspension of fishing was announced for the Canadian black cod on January 18 this year, it has been resumed on March 18 with a reduced quota of 2,800 mt, according to trade people. In past years, Canadian black cod was imported in Japan in other periods than those for Alaskan fish. However, the suspension of fisheries in Canada this year has made the import period the same for Canadian and Alaskan black cod. It is reported that, at the present, Japanese trade people have adopted a "wait and see" attitude toward those imports from both countries.

9. Redfish

The volume of total import of redfish in 2001 recorded a sharp decrease of 19.9% from 47,837 mt in 2000 to 38,300. The import from the largest exporter, Iceland, recorded a decrease of 22.9% from 26,402 mt in 2000 to 20,355 mt in 2001 and the yen import value a decrease of 19.7% from 6.631 billion yen in 2000 to 5.326 billion yen in 2001. One of the major reasons for this decrease is said to be a strike by fishermen at the beginning of 2001 season. Imports of redfish from other major exporting countries also recorded a substantial decrease in 2001. Trade people attribute these decreases not only to poor landings but also to increasing sales of this species to other countries than Japan.

10. Capelin

The total volume of imports of capelin into Japan which Japanese importers and Norwegian exporters have agreed this year was 30,000 mt (or 25,000 mt at the conversion to 100% female capelin basis). However, the import prices have not been settled yet. Norwegian exporters organized a bargaining committee to negotiate the export price of capelin with Japanese importers but, due to a substantial difference between the two parties, the negotiations were deadlocked. Japanese industry people hold that no shipment will be made before the end of May. Reportedly, the import prices to which the Japanese side adheres are NOK12.5 (C&F per kg, at 100% female conversion) for the size of 41-45 counts per kg; NOK10.50 for 46-50 counts, and NOK7.00-8.00 for 51-55 counts (at Yen 16.17 to NOK). These prices are lower by approximately NOK3.00 per kg than the prices which the Norwegian side has asked for, i.e., NOK15.25 for 41-45 counts, NOK13.75 for 46-70 counts and NOK11.75 for 51-55 counts. With the deadlock in negotiations, all Japanese importers have left Norway and there is no plan to resume the talks soon. The size of Norwegian capelin this year was much larger than expected before the season and such large sizes as 41-45 and 45-50 counts were caught in abundance. The Norwegian side has limited the supply of capelin to Japan to less than 30,000 mt with an intention to keep this year's price level as the same as last year. However, given the current very soft consumer market for capelin, where a substantial portion of capelin products processed in China has been dumped, the quantity agreed for the Norwegian capelin would be an oversupply, according to some industry people. They also hold that the marketability of Newfoundland capelin depends completely on the size, which should be larger than under-40 counts per kg.

11. Sea Urchin

Imports of sea urchin roe from Canada decreased by 11.1% from 550 mt in 2000 to 489 mt in 2001 but the yen import value recorded only a 1.9% decrease, which resulted in an increase of the average yen import price from 4,044 yen per kg in 2000 to 4,461 yen in 2001. Imports from the United States recorded a decrease of 14.5% from 1,896 mt in 2000 to 1,622 mt in 2001 and the yen import value increased by 16.1% from 10.823 billion yen in 2000 to 9.085 billion yen (the average import price increased from 5,708 yen per kg in 2000 to 5,600 yen in 2001). Noteworthy are imports from Chile, which now account for 40% of the total imports of sea urchin roes into Japan. Of the total import from Chile in 2001, fresh sea urchin roe occupied 675 mt and frozen sea urchin roe 1,483 mt. Chilean frozen sea urchin roes are mainly used as material for secondary sea urchin roe products, while the roes from other countries are sold without further processing in Japan.