Increased fish consumption in new and emerging economies has seafood prices on an upward trajectory elsewhere, reports Nikkei Weekly, so why are they floundering in Japan, one of the world's biggest consumers of seafood? Competition between restaurant chains and extensive deflation have pushed down prices for all food, including seafood, the publication said.
On the retail side, according to Yomiuri Shimbun, major supermarket chains, including Aeon Co. and Ito-Yokado Co., are hoping to pump up sales volume, if not prices, this fall by launching a new "fast fish" campaign. Using a common fast-fish logo, the chains plan to adopt seafood sections that offer various recipes and menu suggestions, such as easy, Western-style fish dishes geared toward children and young people.
Supermarket seafood sections now mainly sell whole fish or slices. But many young people with little cooking knowledge do not know how to prepare fish other than sashimi. Young homemakers are also apt to avoid seafood sections, saying their children prefer Western-style meat dishes. In an effort to change this attitude, chains plan to offer menu and recipe suggestions, as well as the necessary ingredients and seasonings. The sections will feature child-friendly recipes, as well as unusual fish dishes from around the world. Small-portion sets for single people will also be offered.
Overall, according to a White Paper on Fisheries released this year, Japanese domestic seafood production dropped 20.9% in value between 2000 and 2010, a larger decline than the 16.8% reduction in actual output. On the other hand, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization's world fish price index rose to 154 in 2011, up from 100 between 2002 and 2004. Increases in demand continue to outpace supply. Japanese fish prices, however, buck the world trend, the most obvious reason being that a flagging
economy has dampened demand for high-priced fish. Also, supermarkets have actively pushed prices lower and lower, Nikkei Weekly said.
