Frozen Brine Market Slightly Softened During February 2023 Due to Fishing Recovery Trend

The frozen bonito is obtainable at Yaizu fishing port in Shizuoka prefecture. Frozen brine product (B) is for producing bonito flakes and canned goods that cost USD 1.98/kg (JPY 262/kg) for 2.5kg or more as of early March 2023. Down to 10% from the beginning of February 2023. As catches by overseas purse seiners operating in the southern fishing grounds are on a recovery trend, bonito makers' purchases of bonito flakes have subsided, and ``at this point in time, the price of Arabushi has become a fair price,'' according to an official. (Head and internal organs of the raw fish are removed and boiled. Bones are removed, smoked, and dried. The product is called Arabushi.)

In southern fishing grounds, bonito harvest has increased since December 2022 and lowered since mid-January 2023. In early February 2023, the B market price reached USD 2.19-2.15/kg (JPY 290-285/kg) for fish over 2.5 kilograms, but the B market slightly softened as fishing recovered.