Large Quantities of Pacific Cod Are Traded at Low Prices in Japan Since November 2022

Large amounts of Pacific cod are caught in Hokkaido and are traded at low prices in fish markets in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Due to the bountiful catch in 2021 and the depreciation of the yen, it is attracting attention as one of the few "bargain items", and supermarkets are selling it as a bargain item. In the Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of Hokkaido, fishing for Pacific cod by longline and trawl fishing has been active since this Autumn. The total catch at the major fishing ports in Nemuro City and Kushiro City in November 2022 was about 3.5K tons, an increase of more than 20% from 2021's catch, which was the largest catch in several years.

Compared to 2019, when the catch was on par with the average year, the number has surged to almost three times. Mass retailers in the Tokyo metropolitan area have been actively selling Pacific cod since mid-November 2022. At the end of November 2022, the retail price at major supermarkets in Tokyo was USD 2.92-3.65 (JPY 400-500) for two fillets from Hokkaido. It is more than 20% cheaper than salmon and farmed yellowtail, which competes with fillet products for hot pot, meuniere, and fry.