May 12, 2023

Imported Whale Meat will be Distributed in the Domestic Market for the First Time in Four Years

In Japan, commercial whaling resumed in 2019, but there are restrictions on the hunt, and the supply is unstable. Kyodo Vessel (Tokyo), a whaling company, sells whale meat imported from Iceland. It seeks to reopen markets that have shrunk over the years due to supply constraints.

The company will sell about 2,700 tons that arrived at ports in Yamaguchi Prefecture in February. On 12th May, they began selling to wholesale markets, seafood manufacturers, and retailers nationwide.

Japan's commercial whaling is limited to areas within Japan's territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZ) where whaling is allowed. Since there is also a catch limit of under 2,000 tons per year, Kyodo Vessel decided that imports from Iceland, a whaling nation, were necessary.

Since the cessation of commercial whaling in 1988, whale meat in Japan has been quietly distributed as a byproduct of research whaling. In the past, it was often used as affordable meat for households and school lunches. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' food supply and demand chart, the amount destined for consumption exceeded 230,000 tons in the fiscal year 1962, the peak year. Since the cessation of commercial whaling, it has stagnated at 1,000 to 6,000 tons.

Japan withdrew from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and resumed commercial whaling in 1919 due to conflicts with anti-whaling nations. However, the capture limit was a bottleneck, and only 1,000 tons were destined for consumption in fiscal year 2021. As a result of supply constraints over the past 30 years, an increasing number of generations have never tasted whale meat.

The hurdles to selling are high, but the seeds of possibility exist. Since February, Kyodo Vessel has installed vending machines in four locations across Japan that sell whale meat, including bacon. The person in charge explains, "Sales have been better than expected." As for raw meat, popular parts such as lean meat and skin still need more supply.

The wholesale price of domestic whale meat is currently about 1,200 yen per kilogram. In light of rising fuel and other production costs, the company plans to raise the wholesale price of whale meat to 1,400 yen.

The allowance was obtained from Iceland this time, but the country is expected to discontinue commercial whaling in 2024. The Fisheries Agency intends to expand the species and number of whales that can be taken. Whether the stability of supply can boost consumption? The joint vessel will continue to develop products for less popular parts of the market and encourage their use.