Japan's Declining Fish Catch Raises Trade Prospects

Abstract

Between 1988 and 1997, Japanese fish and shellfish catch dropped by 42 percent, falling to its lowest level in 31 years. Domestic prices sharply increased, but per capita fish and shellfish consumption is still higher than that of all meats. To meet rising demand, Japan became the world’s largest importer, absorbing one third of global fish and shellfish imports, and the United States became its largest supplier up to 1996, when the United States was superceded by China. Outlook for exporting to Japan is excellent because the U.S. catch contains most of the species prized highly in the Japanese market, such as salmon, crabs, and Alaska pollack.