Recently, the Japanese Ministry of Finance released the statistics on the import and export of eel (including live eel, grilled eel and eel fry) in the Japanese market in December 2024. Data show that the Japanese market imported 1191 tons of grilled eel in the month, and the cumulative import volume in 2024 reached 22001 tons, an increase of 22.1%.
Relevant data show that in December, the Japanese market imported roast eel all from the Chinese mainland, the average unit price of 2616 yen/kg, up 135 yen. In 2024, the cumulative import volume increased by 22.1% year-on-year to 22,2001 tons, and the average unit price was 2,611 yen/kg, up 145 yen from the same period last year.
Data for the past five years show that imports in 2023 are 18,018 tons, with an average unit price of 2,654 yen/kg; In 2022, 18,188 tons, with an average unit price of 2,654 yen/kg; In 2021, 21,199 tons, with an average unit price of 2,064 yen/kg; In 2020, 17,340 tons, with an average unit price of 1,723 yen/kg; The average unit price in 2019 is 2,357 yen/kg.
Although December was a low season for imports, imports still exceeded the 1,000 tons mark after November. In this regard, business sources said that although the import volume is indeed higher, the market has not seen an inventory overhang (oversupply), which is surprising. Most of the opinion is that these imports are mainly for commercial customers. However, other business sources said that the trend of high imports has been continuing, but imports only account for 10-20% of the total, so it has not caused much concern.