Some intermediary wholesalers at Tokyo’s Toyosu wholesale auction were advocating for the general public to be allowed into the trading area in the run-up to the New Year.
At the old Tsukiji market the open layout made it difficult to restrict entry, and seasonal sales of tuna and crab direct to consumers became an important supplement to the income of the traders. The new Toyosu market has a closed structure for better climate control with guards at the entry points, so the general public is restricted to viewing areas separated by glass from the trading activity.
At Toyosu in the third week of December, fresh domestic bluefin tuna sold at an average of JPY 12,420 (USD 111.68, EUR 98.22), while imports ranged from 3,024 to 7,344 (USD 27.19 to 66.04, EUR 23.91 to 58.08), up from the price range on 20 November of JPY 2,376 to 5,400 (USD 21.36 to 48.56, EUR 18.79 to 42.70). Frozen imported averaged JPY 3,939 (USD 35.42, EUR 31.15).
Fresh domestic bigeye tuna ranged from JPY 1,296 to 4,104 (USD 11.65 to 36.90, EUR 10.25 to 32.45) while imports ranged from JPY 2,484 to 4,104 (USD 22.34 to 36.90, EUR 19.64 to 32.45). Frozen ranged from JPY 864 to 3,240 (USD 7.77 to 29.13, EUR 6.83 to 25.62) with an average price of JPY 1,147 (USD 10.31, EUR 9.07).
Yellowfin tuna was at JPY 1,836 (USD 16.51, EUR 14.52) for fresh on light volume. Frozen ranged from JPY 864 to 1,188 (USD 7.77 to 10.68, EUR 6.83 to 9.39) for frozen as compared with a 20 November price range of JPY 864 to 1,296 (USD 7.77 to 11.65, EUR 6.83 to 10.25).
As a general rule, tuna prices rise as the New Year holiday approaches. In Japan, New Year is a time for relatives to gather, eat and drink, so families will splurge on delicacies.
