Recently, the Japanese Ministry of Finance released the statistics on the import and export of eel (including live eel, grilled eel and larvae) in the Japanese market in November 2024. According to the data, the Japanese market imported roast eel all from the Chinese mainland in the month, a total of 1,025 tons, an increase of 17% compared with the same period last year. In terms of price, the average price of imported roast eel in the Japanese market in November was 2,649 yen/kg, up 141 yen year-on-year and 150 yen month-on-month.
Statistics show that this is the second consecutive month after October, the Japanese market's off-season roast eel imports exceeded the 1,000 tons mark, and set a record for the same period in November in the past six years (the second is 920 tons in November 2020). From January to November 2024, Japan imported 20,810 tons of grilled eel, up 24% from the same period last year.
Japanese traders said the figure was higher than expected, in part because importers, taking into account the uncertain situation in the new season eel fishery, had boosted stocks ahead of schedule to cope with possible demand fluctuations. In addition, the popularity of grilled eel takeaway outlets such as "Narise Eel" may also be an important factor in promoting the growth of domestic grilled eel imports.
At the beginning of the New Year, the 2025 eel fry fishing season is still in full swing. The fishing season is about half over, and the fishing situation of new season eel fry is still full of variables, and the future trend needs to continue to pay attention to.