U.S. tariff uncertainties rise, Japanese scallop prices fall
Published Jul 23, 2025
Tridge summary
A Tokyo trader told UCN: "The U.S. market still has a relatively small preference for large-sized scallops, and the high procurement prices of Hokkaido raw materials have caused many buyers to step back."
From January to May this year, Japan exported 5,600 tons of frozen scallop meat, a 9% increase year-on-year; the export value increased by 70% year-on-year to 226.9 billion yen, with the average price rising by 56% to JPY 4,060/kg.
Since the price peaked in March, the export prices in April and May have fallen consecutively; the shipment prices to the U.S. market have also been declining. The exports to the U.S. in the first five months increased by 9% year-on-year to 1,600 tons, with the price doubling to JPY 5,800/kg, but the price in May fell by 13% month-on-month.
Another Tokyo wholesaler said: "There is great uncertainty about the reciprocal tariff policy that the Trump administration may implement, and U.S. buyers are currently adopting a wait-and-see attitude."
In contrast, Japan's exports to Vietnam have increased significantly, with April exports rising by 430% year-on-year and May exports rising by 1,600%, reaching 589 tons, with an average price of only JPY 678/kg.
From January to May, Japan exported 8,300 tons of frozen scallop raw materials with shells, a 37% decrease year-on-year, with an average price of JPY 600/kg.
Distributors pointed out that Hokkaido mainly catches small-sized scallops, with 5S size accounting for 40% of the total output. The current market situation is not optimistic, and if prices continue to fall, more raw materials will be sold to Southeast Asia. In the Japanese domestic market, sushi shops and large retailers usually sell 3S size scallops, and some businesses have started using Chinese scallops as a substitute.
In the Okhotsk region of Hokkaido, the scallop production increased in June, with a cumulative production of 92,400 tons by the end of June, a 6% decrease from the same period last year, accounting for 35% of the target production for the season. Small-sized scallops, such as 5S and 6S, made up the majority of the production; the Sarufutsu cooperative set the average price at JPY 326/kg, a 60% increase year-on-year; other cooperatives' prices increased by 40-50% year-on-year.
From January to May this year, Japan exported 5,600 tons of frozen scallop meat, a 9% increase year-on-year; the export value increased by 70% year-on-year to 226.9 billion yen, with the average price rising by 56% to JPY 4,060/kg.
Since the price peaked in March, the export prices in April and May have fallen consecutively; the shipment prices to the U.S. market have also been declining. The exports to the U.S. in the first five months increased by 9% year-on-year to 1,600 tons, with the price doubling to JPY 5,800/kg, but the price in May fell by 13% month-on-month.
Another Tokyo wholesaler said: "There is great uncertainty about the reciprocal tariff policy that the Trump administration may implement, and U.S. buyers are currently adopting a wait-and-see attitude."
In contrast, Japan's exports to Vietnam have increased significantly, with April exports rising by 430% year-on-year and May exports rising by 1,600%, reaching 589 tons, with an average price of only JPY 678/kg.
From January to May, Japan exported 8,300 tons of frozen scallop raw materials with shells, a 37% decrease year-on-year, with an average price of JPY 600/kg.
Distributors pointed out that Hokkaido mainly catches small-sized scallops, with 5S size accounting for 40% of the total output. The current market situation is not optimistic, and if prices continue to fall, more raw materials will be sold to Southeast Asia. In the Japanese domestic market, sushi shops and large retailers usually sell 3S size scallops, and some businesses have started using Chinese scallops as a substitute.
In the Okhotsk region of Hokkaido, the scallop production increased in June, with a cumulative production of 92,400 tons by the end of June, a 6% decrease from the same period last year, accounting for 35% of the target production for the season. Small-sized scallops, such as 5S and 6S, made up the majority of the production; the Sarufutsu cooperative set the average price at JPY 326/kg, a 60% increase year-on-year; other cooperatives' prices increased by 40-50% year-on-year.
Original content
A Tokyo-based trader told UCN: "The U.S. market still has a relatively small preference for large-sized scallops, and the high procurement prices of Hokkaido raw materials have caused many buyers to step back." From January to May this year, Japan exported 5,600 tons of frozen scallop meat, a 9% increase year-on-year; the export value increased by 70% year-on-year to 226.9 billion yen, with the average price rising by 56% to JPY 4,060/kg. Since the price peaked in March, export prices have fallen consecutively in April and May; the shipment price to the U.S. market is also declining. The export to the U.S. in the first five months increased by 9% year-on-year to 1,600 tons, with the price doubling to JPY 5,800/kg, but the price in May fell by 13% month-on-month. Another Tokyo wholesaler said: "There is great uncertainty about the reciprocal tariff policy that the Trump administration may implement, and U.S. buyers are currently adopting a wait-and-see attitude." In contrast, ...
Source: Foodmate
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