As the “Doyo no Ushinohi” (Eel Days) on July 19 and 31 approach, the eel market is heating up. Major supermarkets and restaurants are focusing on offering reasonably priced eel products, considering the high price of rice and other goods. This year’s good catch of juvenile eels is expected to lower future prices.
Aeon Retail has prepared a record 110,000 large grilled eels, suitable for sharing among two to three people. Their extra-large “Topvalu Green Eye Natural Kagoshima Grilled Eel” (250 grams) is priced at 3,580 yen before tax. The company expects sales to rise due to consumers becoming more budget-conscious.
According to the Fisheries Agency, the average price of juvenile eels this year is about 1.3 million yen per kilogram, nearly half of last year’s price. Since farming takes about a year, eels might be cheaper next year.
The outlook for imported eels is unclear. The European Union proposed in June to regulate the trade of Japanese eels due to declining resources. If adopted at the CITES meeting in November-December, imports might be limited, risking price hikes.
by MagazineKey4532