NOM Technical Memorandum NMFS 

NOVEMBER 2004 

THE JAPANESE MARKET FOR SQUID AND CUTTLEFISH 

Sunee C. Sonu 

NOM-TM-NMFS-SWR-04 1 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Southwest Region 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), organized in 

1970, has evolved into an agency which establishes national policies and 

manages and conserves our oceanic, coastal, and atmospheric resources. 

An organizational element within NOAA, the Office of Fisheries is responsible 

for fisheries policy and the direction of the National Marine Fisheries Service 

(NMFS). 

In addition to its formal publications, the NMFS uses the NOAA Technical 

Memorandum series to issue informal scientific and technical publications 

when complete formal review and editorial processing are not appropriate or 

feasible. Documents within this series, however, reflect sound professional 

work and may be referenced in the formal scientific and technical literature. 
NOM Technical Memorandum NMFS 

This TM series us used for doarmentation and timely mmmunication of preliminary results, intetim reports, or special 

purpose information. The TMs have not received complete formal review, ediio*l control, or detailed editing. 

NOVEMBER 2004 

THE JAPANESE MARKET FOR SQUID AND CUTTLEFISH 

Sunee C. Sonu 

Southwest Region 

National Marine Fisheries Service, NOM 

Long Beach, California 90802 

NOM-TM-N M FS-SWR-04 1 

US. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Donald L. Evans, Secretary 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

VDAM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

William T. Hogarth, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

LIST OF TABLES ..................... ii 

LIST OF FIGURES ................... iii 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................... iv 

INTRODUCTION ...................... 1 

FISHERY ......................... 2 

IMPORTS ......................... 10 

Trade Barriers .................... 11 

COLD STORAGE HOLDINGS ................. 21 

SUPPLY ......................... 22 

EXPORTS ........................ 23 

DEMAND ......................... 26 

CONSUMPTION ...................... 27 

WHOLESALE PRICES .................... 28 

REFERENCES ....................... 32 

i 
LIST OF TABLE 

Page 

1. World landings of squid and cuttlefish by major 

countries, 1950-2002. ............... 4 

2. Japan’s landings of Ommastrephid squid, 2001-2003. . 5 

3. Landings of Todarodes pacificus, and total squid 

and cuttlefish landings by world and by Japan, 

1950-2002. ..................... 6 

4. Japan‘s landings of Ommastrephes bartrami, 

1974-2003. .................... 7 

5. Japan’s landings of Dosidicus giuas, 1991-2003. .. 8 

6. Japan’s landings of Nototodarus sloani, and 

Illex aruentinus, 1980-2003. ............ 9 

7. Japan’s annual imports of squid and cuttlefish 

products by volume, 1971-2003. ......... -13 

8. Japan’s imports of frozen squid and cuttlefish by 

country of origin and volume, 1999-2003. .... -14 

9. Japan‘s imports of frozen cuttlefish by country 

of origin and volume, 1999-2003. ........ .I5 

10. Japan’s imports of fresh cuttlefish by country 

of origin and volume, 1999-2003. ......... 16 

11. Japan’s imports of fresh squid and cuttlefish by 

country of origin and volume, 1999-2003.. ..... 16 

12. Japan‘s imports of dried or salted squid and 

cuttlefish by country of origin and volume, 

1999-2003.. .................... 17 

13. Japan‘s imports of prepared or preserved squid 

and cuttlefish by country of origin and 

volume, 1999-2003.. ................18 

14. Japan‘s import quotas for fresh or frozen squid 

and cuttlefish, 1971-2004 ............. 19 

15. Allocation of Japan‘s import quotas for fresh or 

frozen squid and cuttlefish by recipient groups 

for 1984-1992 and 2000-2003 ............ 20 

ii 
LIST OF TABLE 

Page 

16. Japan’s year-end cold storage holdings of frozen 

squid and cuttlefish, 1981-2003. .......... 21 

17. Japan’s annual supply of squid and cuttlefish, 

1988-2003. ...................... 22 

18. Japan’s exports of squid and cuttlefish by volume 

and value, 2001-2003. ................ 23 

19. Japan’s exports of frozen squid and cuttlefish by 

country, 2001-2003. ................. 24 

20. Japan‘s exports of fresh squid and cuttlefish by 

country, 2001-2003 .................. 25 

21. Japan‘s exports of dried, in brine, or salted 

squid and cuttlefish by country, 2001-2003. ..... 25 

22. Japan’s demand for squid and cuttlefish and 

apparent consumption, 1982-2003 ........... 26 

23. Average per household consumption in Japan on 

fresh and frozen fish and shellfish by major 

species or groups, by quantity, 1997-2003. ..... 27 

24. Annual average wholesale prices of squid and 

cuttlefish at Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, 

1997-2003. ..................... 28 

LIST OF FIGURES 

Page 

1. Annual average wholesale prices and supply of 

- T. pacificus at Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, 

1997-2003. ...................... 29 

2. Annual average wholesale prices and supply of 

- 0. bartrami and I. aruentinus at Tokyo Central 

Wholesale Market, 1997-2003. ............. 30 

3. Annual average wholesale prices and supply of 

- S. officinalis at Tokyo Central Wholesale 

Market, 1997-2003. .................. 31 

iii 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Japan was the world’s largest producer of squid and 

cuttlefish until 2001, but its share of world landings has 

decreased sharply from 87 percent in 1950 to 16 percent in 2002. 

Japanese landings in 2003 of 382,000 metric tons 

percent of the record landings, and were the lowest in 39 years. 

(mt) were 49 

Japan is a major market for squid and cuttlefish, utilizing 

an average of 672;OOO mt per year during 1982-2003. 

this market comes from both domestic catches and imports. 

share of the Japanese market for squid supplied by imports 

increased from 13 percent in 1982 to 19 percent in 2003. 

2003, imports were worth $526 million. Frozen products 

dominated, representing 68 percent both in volume and value in 

2003. Japanese imports of frozen squid from the United States in 

2003 were 6,246 mt valued at $9.2 million, 

percent in quantity and 39 percent in value over 1999 imports. 

Supply for 

The 

In 

an increase of 58 

Prices of squid are primarily determined by supply and 

demand, but quality, origin, and species are also important. 

During 1997-2003, the highest annual average wholesale prices at 

Tokyo Central Wholesale Market for fresh Todarodes wacificus 

occurred in 1998, for frozen 2. pacificus in 1997, for fresh 

Ommastrewhes bartrami in 1997, and for Illex arcrentinus in 2003, 

which corresponded to periods of low supply of these products. 

Squid and cuttlefish products imported into Japan are 

subject to import quotas (IQ) and tariffs. To meet strong demand 

for squid, the Japanese government increased the IQ for fresh and 

frozen squid from 7,000 mt for 1971 to 53,000 mt for 1986, and 

then to 59,950 mt for 2004. 

flavored, such as smoked, prepared, or preserved products, are 

exempted from IQ. Common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), which 

is not caught in Japanese waters, has been exempted from IQ since 

1978. 

Processed squid which have been 

As the United States and Japan are signatories to the World 

Trade Organization (WTO), WTO tariffs apply to imports of squid 

products from the U.S.: 3.5 percent for fresh or frozen 

cuttlefish, 5 percent for fresh or frozen squid, 6.7 percent for 

smoked products, 15 percent for dried products. Tariff rates are 

calculated as a percentage of total cost, including insurance and 

freight . 

iv 
INTRODUCTION 

World squid and cuttlefish catches have increased 

considerably recently, nearly doubling since 20 years ago 

(Table 1). Japan has historically been the most important player 

in squid fisheries and consumption. In 2002, however, China 

finally took the lead in world catch of squid and cuttlefish, 

although Japan is still the largest consumer. To fill the 

domestic demand, Japan has greatly increased imports of squid and 

cuttlefish. 

Although squid and cuttlefish are taxonomically different 

groups of cephalopods, they are normally lumped together in 

Japanese fishery statistics because of their general similarity 

in appearance as well as in how they are used as food. Squid and 

cuttlefish are used in various ways, depending on species and 

state of preservation, and prices for them vary accordingly. 

Japanese squid catches are dominated by species in family 

Ommestrephidae, which can be characterized as oceanic species, 

but those in family Loligindae are also important in local 

fisheries. Likewise cuttlefish species comprise only a small 

percentage of the total catch of both groups. 

U.S. fisheries for squid target Loligo peali on the east 

coast and L. opalescens off California. The latter has found a 

niche in the Japanese market which can be developed. 

This report provides a detailed examination of the Japanese 

fishery, as well as import, export, supply, demand, consumption, 

and wholesale prices of squid and cuttlefish. 

FISHERY 

The Japanese commercial fishery for squid and cuttlefish can 

be traced back as far as 1458, and throughout history Japan has 

been the leading nation in terms of total catch as well as 

consumption. In the last half century, however, Japan’s 

dominance has decreased steadily, its share of world landings 

falling from 87 percent in 1950 to 16 percent in 2002, when China 

finally took over the top position (Table 1). Since 1950, 

Japanese squid and cuttlefish landings have ranged between 

329,000 and 773,000 mt, averaging 539,000 mt. 

Japanese, and indeed world catches of squid are dominated by 

species in family Ommastrephidae, which are generally found in 

offshore oceanic waters. Loliginid species, on the other hand, 

are generally caught in nearshore waters, and their catches are 

relatively minor. Thus detailed statistics are lacking on 

Japanese fisheries for the latter species, as well as cuttlefish. 

1 
Five species of Ommastrephidae comprise the major targets of 

the Japanese squid fishery. 

Ommastrephes bartrami, Nototodarus sloani, Illex aruentinus, and 

Dosidicus uiuas. In 2003, landings of these five species 

accounted for 77 percent of Japan's total squid and cuttlefish 

landings (Table 2). 

These are Todarodes Dacificus, 

Todarodes pacificus is the species most familiar to Japanese 

consumers and, as such, sets standards for appearance and taste 

for the entire market. 

essentially dictates the extent of use of other squid species. 

When the landings of this species are low, 2. pacificus goes to 

the high-value direct consumption market. Conversely, when the 

landings are high, more of it is used in processed form, at the 

expense of other species 

The availability of this species 

(Suisan Keizai Shinbun Sha 1992). 

Japanese landings of 2. pacificus steadily declined from 

1968 to 1986 (Table 3). In 1968, landings of this species 

totaled 668,000 mt, an historical high, representing 86 percent 

of Japan's total squid and cuttlefish landings and 63 percent of 

the world's landings for that year. 

80 percent of total Japanese squid landings in 1970, but this 

dropped to 67 percent in 1975 and 13 percent in 1986. By 1986, 

Japanese catch of 1- pacificus represented only about 4 percent 

of the world squid landings. 

Landings of 2. pacificus was 

Following the sharp decline in its catch of 1. pacifims, 

Japan developed fisheries for Q. bartrami in the North Pacific, 

using jigging in 1974 and later adding drift gillnet in 1978 

(Kohrin Sha 1989). Landings of this species grew rapidly from 

17,000 mt in 1974 to a peak of 163,000 mt in 1982 (Table 4). 

Between 1977 and 1990, landings of this species fluctuated 

between 100,000 and 163,000 mt. However, landings have decreased 

sharply since 1990. Lower landings have continued due mainly to 

a ban, starting in 1993, in the use of driftnets to catch Q. 

bartrami on the high seas in the North Pacific. This action 

complied with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46-215 

which mandated a global moratorium on all large-scale driftnet 

fisheries by December 31, 1992. 

Since the implementation of the United Nations' moratorium 

on squid driftnet fishing in the North Pacific, 

has been made to find additional sources of squid in other areas. 

At auctions held by the Peruvian government in April and June of 

1993, Japan gained an allocation of 80,000 mt of _O. Gigas and 36 

licenses to fish in the Peruvian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) 

for a ten month period starting May 3, 1993 (Suisan Tsushin Sha 

1993). In April 1993, the Fisheries Agency of Japan announced 

its approval of the operation of about 20 vessels in an 

experimental jig fishery in the area where driftnet operations 

greater effort 

2 
had been prohibited after January 1, 1993 (Nikkan Shokuryo 

Shinbun Sha 1993). Japanese catches of giant squid 2- uiaas in 

waters off Peru, Mexico, Equador, and Costa Rica increased from 

23,500 mt in 1991 to 56,000 mt in 1994 (Table 5). Landings of _O. 

uigas have since fluctuated, with poor years associated with 

low catches in the Peruvian EEZ. (Hokkai Keizai Shinbun Sha 

2004). In March 2004, Japan received an allocation of 70,000 mt 

of E. gicras to fish in the Peruvian EEZ for a three month period 

starting in April 2004 (Suisan Tsushin Sha 2004). 

Japanese fishermen began to increase harvest of a. sloani 

off New Zealand in 1970 and L. araentinus off Argentina in 1978 

(Korin Sha 1989). June through November constitutes the squid 

fishing season for most jig boat in Japanese waters (Zen Gyoren 

2004). To extend the season, Japanese vessels fish squid from 

December through May off New Zealand and from February through 

May off Argentina. 

Annual landings of a. sloani and I. aruentinus fluctuated 

considerably between 1980 and 2003 and reached records of 78,000 

mt in 1989 for a. sloani and 240,000 mt in 1987 for _I. aruentinus 

(Table 6). Since 1990, however, landings of these species have 

declined sharply, due mainly to reduced numbers of vessels 

operating in waters off New Zealand and Argentina. 
Table 1. World landings of squid and cuttlefish by 

major countries, 1950-2002 (1,000 metric tons). 

Year World Japan China Korea Argentina Taiwan Thailand U.S.A. Share (%) 

total Rep. of Japan/world 

4 87 - 1950 542 4 69 14 20 o* ** 

1951 

1952 

1953 

1954 

1955 

1956 

1957 

1958 

1959 

1960 

1961 

1962 

1963 

1964 

1965 

1966 

1967 

1968 

1969 

1970 

1971 

1972 

1973 

1974 

1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

604 

754 

568 

540 

550 

473 

557 

555 

7 07 

707 

669 

809 

926 

574 

7 61 

736 

831 

1056 

84 9 

832 

819 

987 

8 68 

858 

935 

969 

1,024 

1,137 

1,346 

1,344 

1,143 

1,395 

1,402 

1,421 

1,541 

1,481 

2,004 

1,913 

2,253 

2,019 

2,157 

2,363 

2,284 

2,343 

2,424 

2,658 

2,957 

2,325 

3,035 

3,064 

2,796 

517 

656 

4 68 

443 

434 

346 

419 

412 

538 

542 

4 57 

613 

667 

32 9 

500 

485 

597 

773 

590 

517 

4 82 

608 

482 

474 

534 

4 97 

4 90 

519 

52 9 

687 

517 

551 

53 9 

52 6 

528 

4 63 

755 

661 

734 

567 

545 

724 

588 

596 

548 

678 

643 

38 6 

501 

62 1 

521 

20 

25 

25 

31 

34 

39 

38 

38 

40 

40 

40 

42 

42 

42 

44 

44 

44 

46 

46 

57 

73 

48 

J * * - 

- 

36 

40 

62 

90 

80 

28 

50 

53 

54 

53 

50 

62 

76 

59 

69 

70 

71 

122 

194 

222 

173 

243 

375 

410 

478 

499 

24 

24 

18 

9 

18 

22 

40 

34 

47 

42 

83 

57 

117 

87 

71 

76 

42 

89 

65 

77 

46 

61 

63 

58 

70 

89 

53 

73 

104 

109 

121 

128 

14 9 

164 

183 

197 

266 

270 

356 

322 

401 

4 64 

424 

373 

399 

428 

459 

283 

568 

407 

393 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

1 

0 

1 

1 

2 

3 

3 

1 

2 

2 

2 

4 

5 

4 

8 

2 

59 

87 

9 

11 

39 

29 

29 

22 

13 

51 

21 

23 

28 

46 

78 

195 

198 

200 

293 

414 

2 92 

343 

279 

231 

z 

3 

3 

3 

2 

4 

5 

5 

5 

8 

7 

8 

14 

16 

14 

14 

19 

14 

14 

15 

16 

14 

21 

36 

21 

30 

36 

32 

33 

46 

45 

58 

86 

77 

103 

166 

160 

220 

227 

233 

215 

280 

207 

219 

190 

187 

171 

250 

236 

297 

259 

165 

128 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

._ 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

.. 

34 

37 

69 

60 

63 

63 

60 

87 

87 

73 

67 

75 

110 

124 

123 

107 

123 

121 

112 

127 

117 

134 

130 

133 

129 

140 

150 

151 

156 

149 

153 

151 

151 

8 

3 

7 

5 

8 

10 

8 

5 

11 

3 

6 

6 

7 

8 

10 

10 

11 

13 

11 

12 

16 

10 

7 

16 

13 

13 

11 

19 

22 

16 

25 

27 

28 

22 

26 

38 

41 

58 

58 

43 

63 

51 

74 

98 

104 

109 

102 

45 

117 

144 

105 

86 

87 

82 

82 

79 

73 

75 

74 

76 

77 

68 

76 

72 

57 

66 

66 

72 

73 

69 

62 

59 

62 

56 

55 

57 

51 

48 

46 

39 

51 

45 

39 

38 

37 

34 

31 

38 

35 

33 

28 

25 

31 

26 

25 

23 

26 

22 

17 

17 

20 

19 

2002 2,698 434 52 0 371 177 ~__ 93 16 

O* more than zero but less than 500 mt 

..** data not available 

-*** magnitude known to be zero 

Source: FA0 2003, 2004 

Hokkai Keizai Shinbun Sha 2004 

4 
Table 2. Japan's landings of Ommastrephid squid, 

2001-2003 (1,000 metric tons) . 

Species 2001 2002 2003 

Todarodes pacificus 

Dosidicus piaas 

Illex aruentinus 

Omma s t rephes bar t rami 

Nototodarus sloani 

Sub-total 

Japan's total squid and 

cuttlefish landings 

254 

52 

54 

15 

240 

56 

20 

9 

233 

26 

18 

13 

1 2 3 

376 327 293 

521 434 382 

Ommastrephid squid as 

percent of total 72 75 77 

Sources: Suisan Tsushin Sha 2003 

Suisan Keizai Shinbun Sha 2004 

Hokkai Keizai Shinbun Sha 2004 

Zen Gyoren 2004 

5 
Table 3. Landings of Todarodes Pacificus and total squid and 

cuttlefish landings, by world and by Japan, 

1950-2002 (1,000 metric tons). 

Year Todarodes pacificus Total Share (%) 

Squid and Cuttlefish 

World (A) Japan (B) World (C) Japan (D) B/D B/C 

1950 

1951 

1952 

1953 

1954 

1955 

1956 

1957 

1958 

1959 

1960 

1961 

1962 

1963 

1964 

1965 

1966 

1967 

1968 

1969 

1970 

1971 

1972 

1973 

1974 

1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

429 

480 

60 1 

422 

392 

38 6 

305 

390 

381 

507 

505 

472 

584 

701 

334 

477 

470 

52 6 

759 

545 

4 92 

407 

528 

401 

355 

418 

34 9 

243 

250 

269 

4 05 

290 

274 

246 

287 

214 

14 1 

2 62 

228 

320 

321 

4 03 

545 

54 8 

504 

513 

716 

603 

37 9 

4 98 

57 0 

52 9 

409 

456 

577 

403 

383 

368 

279 

350 

34 6 

457 

4 60 

385 

518 

574 

238 

3 97 

383 

477 

668 

478 

4 12 

364 

4 65 

334 

310 

358 

281 

208 

216 

213 

330 

197 

145 

143 

131 

108 

61 

139 

119 

164 

166 

196 

32 6 

235 

234 

256 

388 

310 

144 

203 

291 

254 

542 

604 

754 

568 

54 0 

550 

473 

557 

555 

707 

707 

669 

809 

92 6 

57 4 

7 61 

736 

831 

1,056 

849 

832 

819 

987 

8 68 

858 

935 

969 

1,024 

1,137 

1,346 

1,344 

1,143 

1,395 

1,402 

1,421 

1,541 

1,481 

2,004 

1,913 

2,253 

2,019 

2,157 

2,363 

2,284 

2,343 

2,424 

2,658 

2,957 

2,325 

3,035 

3,058 

2,776 

469 

517 

65 6 

4 68 

443 

434 

34 6 

419 

4 12 

538 

542 

457 

613 

667 

32 9 

500 

485 

597 

773 

590 

517 

482 

608 

482 

474 

534 

4 97 

4 90 

519 

52 9 

687 

517 

551 

539 

52 6 

528 

4 63 

755 

661 

734 

567 

545 

724 

588 

596 

54 8 

678 

643 

38 6 

501 

62 1 

521 

87 

88 

88 

86 

86 

85 

81 

84 

84 

85 

85 

84 

85 

86 

72 

79 

79 

80 

86 

81 

80 

76 

77 

69 

66 

67 

56 

42 

42 

40 

48 

38 

26 

27 

25 

20 

13 

18 

18 

22 

29 

36 

45 

40 

39 

47 

57 

48 

37 

41 

47 

49 

75 

75 

76 

71 

71 

67 

59 

63 

62 

65 

65 

57 

64 

62 

41 

52 

52 

57 

63 

56 

50 

44 

47 

39 

36 

38 

29 

20 

19 

16 

25 

17 

10 

10 

9 

7 

4 

7 

6 

7 

8 

9 

14 

10 

10 

11 

15 

10 

6 

7 

10 

9 

2002 504 240 2; 698 434 55 9 

Sources: FA0 2004 

Zen Gyoren 1990-2004 Suisan Tsushin Sha 2003, 2004 

b 
Table 4. Japan's landings of Ommastrephes bartrami, 

1974-2003 (metric tons). 

Year Dri f tnet Jig Others Total 

1974 

1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

- 

108,000 

112,000 

73,000 

99,000 

85,000 

111,000 

86,000 

98,500 

103,000 

70,200 

67,600 

1,830 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

38,000 

25,000 

15,400 

10,000 

8,000 

0 

2,000 

6,900 

16,000 

5,500 

2,100 

7,300 

35,300 

34,900 

38,630 

40,000 

53,960 

34,430 

16,250 

15,300 

8,940 

12,670 

17,000 

11,000 

11,600 

26,000 

15,000 

21,000 

13,000 

14,600 

17,000 

6,000 

300 

200 

3,600 

16,430 

2,140 

1,700 

4,290 

160 

1,250 

110 

0 

530 

17,000 

41,164 

84,184 

121,768 

151,307 

124,692 

144,000 

120,000 

163,000 

148,000 

100,000 

135,000 

108,000 

132,000 

101,000 

120,000 

136,000 

81,700 

70,000 

9,330 

38,900 

51,330 

40,770 

41,700 

58,250 

34,590 

17,500 

15,410 

8,940 

13,200 

-...breakdown is not available 

Sources: Zen Gyoren 1988, 1993, 2004 

Kohrin Sha 1989 

Suisan Tsushin Sha 2004 

7 
Table 5. Japan’s landings of Dosidicus giqas, 

1991-2003 (metric tons). 

Year Waters off Total 

Peru Others* 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

18,500 

27,000 

46,100 

56,000 

25,000 

5,440 

2,500 

220 

0 

52,900 

51,600 

55,500 

25,970 

5,000 

4,700 

0 

0 

0 

3,470 

22,000 

5,300 

410 

19,400 

160 

0 

0 

23,500 

31,700 

46,100 

56,000 

25,000 

8,910 

24,500 

5,520 

410 

72,300 

51,760 

55,500 

25,970 

Others* include Mexico, Equador, and Costa Rica 

Sources: Zen Gyoren 1988, 1993, 2004 

Suisan Tsushin Sha 2004 

8 
Table 6. Japan's landings of Nototodarus sloani, and 

Illex arcrentinus, 1980-2003. 

Year Nototodarus sloani Illex arcrentinus 

Landings Number of Landings Number of 

(metric tons) vessels (metric tons) vessels 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

63,000 

40,000 

50,000 

49,000 

65,000 

50,000 

40,000 

52,000 

53,000 

78,000 

8,680 

8,950 

10,500 

8,000 

9,710 

20,400 

10,530 

5,210 

3,710 

1,840 

1,850 

1,390 

1,700 

3,090 

- 

112 

125 

116 

101 

129 

83 

151 

54 

30 

10 

14 

9 

22 

25 

25 

15 

15 

8 

4 

3 

4 

38,000 

18,000 

35,000 

25,000 

60,000 

77 , 000 

95,000 

240,000 

203,000 

174,000 

83,900 

91,200 

71,600 

96,800 

79,270 

65,950 

58,730 

87,650 

69,580 

122,860 

97,930 

53,880 

20,450 

17 , 500 

- 

107 

134 

119 

108 

99 

82 

64 

- 

- 

51 

49 

50 

44 

48 

48 

42 

34 

25 

-...not available 

Sources: Zen Gyoren 1990-2004 

Suisan Tsushin Sha 2003, 2004 

9 
IMPORTS 

Japan has traditionally included both squid and cuttlefish 

under the common name squid ("ika"). This tradition continues in 

its trade regulation, as both squid and cuttlefish are combined 

in a single import quota (IQ). 

Squid and cuttlefish imports were previously not allowed 

because domestic demand was satisfied by Japanese catches. When 

landings of Japanese flying squid (2. pacificus) dropped sharply 

in 1969, however, Japan had to begin importing squid and 

cuttlefish in 1971 under a carefully administered quota system. 

From 1971 to 1979, imports of squid and cuttlefish to Japan 

increased steadily from 24,000 mt to 160,000 mt, more than six 

times in volume (Table 7). From 1982 to 2003, imports have 

fluctuated between 101,000 and 142,000 mt. 

Japan liberalized the import of fresh and frozen common 

cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) on April 1, 1978, making it free 

from import quota restrictions. This is the only species exempt 

from IQ. 

Japan's imports of squid and cuttlefish in 2003 totaled 

approximately 123,000 mt valued at 526 million dollars (Table 7 

and Japan Fish Traders Association 2004). Frozen products 

dominated, representing as much as 68 percent both in volume and 

value in 2003. Prepared or preserved products accounted for 28 

percent in volume and 26 percent in value, followed by dried or 

salted products with 3 percent in volume and 6 percent in value. 

Imports of fresh products were minor, with less than 1 percent 

both in volume and value in 2003. 

Imports of frozen squid and cuttlefish (Rossia macrosoma and 

Sepiola spp) fluctuated between 33,000 and 63,000 mt from 1988 to 

2003 (Table 7). The products came mostly from China, with lesser 

quantities imported from Thailand, the United States, Viet Nam, 

and Argentina (Table 8). 

Japan's imports of frozen cuttlefish (excluding Rossia 

macrosoma and Sepiola spp.) have declined since 1995 (Table 7). 

Thailand remained the largest supplier of frozen cuttlefish with 

an annual average of 20,000 mt from 1999 to 2003, followed by 

Viet Nam, Morocco, Malaysia, and China (Table 9). 

Imports of squid into Japan from the United States have been 

almost exclusively confined to Loliuo oDalescens (U.S. Department 

of Commerce 2004). In 2003, Japan's imports of squid from the 

United States were worth more than $9.2 million at 6,246 mt, an 

increase of 39 percent in value and 58 percent in quantity over 

1999 imports (Table 9 and Japan Fish Traders Association 2004). 

10 
Japan imported 14 mt of fresh cuttlefish (excluding Rossia 

macrosoma and Sepiola spp.) in 2003, 5 mt each from Italy and 

Thailand and 4 mt from Hong Kong (Table 10). In 2001, Japan 

imported 17 mt from Hong Kong and 11 mt from Thailand. 

Imports of fresh squid and cuttlefish (Rossia macrosoma and 

Sepiola spp.) were only 4 mt in 2003 (Table 11). Italy was the 

single suppler of fresh products in 2003. The Republic of Korea 

supplied 14 mt of fresh products to Japan in 1999. 

Imports of dried or salted squid and cuttlefish increase 

from 2,484 mt in 1997 to 5,192 mt in 2001, but have since shown 

a downward trend (Table 7). China has been the major supplier of 

dried squid and cuttlefish to Japan since 1999, providing Japan 

with 75 percent in volume of dried or salted products in 2003 

(Table 12). 

Imports of prepared or preserved squid and cuttlefish 

(excluding dried or salted squid) increased from 9,525 mt in 1998 

to 34,898 mt in 2003 (Table 7). China has consistently been the 

leading supplier of prepared or preserved products to Japan, 

providing over 69 percent of the total in 2003 (Table 13). 

Trade barriers 

Japan regulates imports of squid and cuttlefish with import 

quotas (IQ) and tariffs. Import quotas are set once a year, with 

new quotas announced each year. To meet strong demand, the 

Japanese government has gradually increased the IQ for fresh and 

frozen squid and cuttlefish from 53,000 mt for 1993 to 59,950 for 

2004 (Table 14). The IQ for dried squid and cuttlefish was set 

at 4,500 mt for 2003. 

Product forms which are exempted from import quota 

regulations include processed squid and cuttlefish which have 

been flavored, such as prepared or preserved products (i.e. 

canned, boiled, seasoned, or fermented products) . Common 

cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) has been exempted from import 

quota since 1978, when the quota was removed from this highly 

prized species which is not caught in Japanese waters. 

While the Ministry of International Trade and Industry is 

the lead agency in administering the quota system, it coordinates 

its actions closely with the Fisheries Agency (FAJ) of the 

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. In addition to 

setting quotas for imports, the government also controls 

allocations among the following recipient groups: 

A. Traders: Trading companies with past import history; 

11 
B. 

C. 

D. 

E. 

Users: Processors‘ associations which usually hire 

traders to perform import functions on their 

behalf; 

Fishermen: Fishermen or fishery organizations fishing in 

overseas waters and designated by FAJ Director 

General, or those who received import orders from 

such fishermen or fishery organizations; 

Joint venture: Japanese joint venture participants in 

which the Japanese equity exceeds 40 percent; 

First-Come-First-Served: Companies which have import 

contracts for squid and cuttlefish signed after 

the date of the IQ announcement. 

There is a great deal of variation in the amount of quota 

held by recipient groups (Table 15) and individual importers. 

Trading companies have held the largest share of quota 

allocations, and since 2000 this has been about 40 percent. 

share of the processors’ associations has been about 35 Dercent 

The 

since 2001. 

2003. 

The fishermen’s quota increased to 20 percent in 

Imports of squid and cuttlefish are subject to tariffs. As 

the United States and Japan are signatories to the World Trade 

Organization (WTO), WTO tariffs apply to U.S. exports of squid 

products: 3.5 percent for fresh or frozen cuttlefish (excluding 

Rossia macrosoma and Sepiola spp.), 5 percent for fresh or frozen 

squid and cuttlefish (Rossia macrosoma and Sepiola spp.), 6.7 

percent for smoked products, 10.5 percent for prepared or 

preserved products (including products in airtight containers), 

and 15 percent for dried or salted products (Japan Fish Traders 

Association 2004). Tariff rates are calculated as a percentage 

of total cost, including insurance and freight. 

12 
Table 7. Japan’s annual imports of squid and cuttlefish products 

by volume, 1971-2003 (metric tons). 

Year Fresh/frozen Dried/ Prepared/ Total 

Squid/ Sub- salted preserved*** 

Cuttlefish* cuttlefish* * total 

Fresh Frozen Fresh Frozen 

1971 

1972 

1973 

1974 

1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

-**** - - - - - - - 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

- - - - 

- - - - - - - - 

- 81,759 ***** - 43,455***** - 62,751 ***** - 39,170***** 

239 53,703 4 47,891 

80 67,312 9 48,176 

80 61,166 0 53,030 

98 51,683 0 46,236 

66 48,300 40 52,890 

55 54,001 19 43,998 

86 60,769 81 54,882 

43 53,144 0 33,057 

46 49,345 0 58,124 

32 46,982 3 48,661 

9 44,761 5 48,602 

5 43,373 18 62,513 

13 41,426 1 56,077 

28 38,955 0 43,136 

2 36,092 2 60,362 

14 32,607 4 51,272 

21,330 

27,844 

28,980 

44,762 

58,580 

68,533 

74 , 732 

118,142 

155,868 

94 , 375 

68,776 

96,399 

101,661 

102,581 

112,883 

125,214 

101,921 

101,837 

115,577 

114,276 

98,019 

101,296 

98,073 

115,818 

86,244 

107,515 

95,678 

93,377 

105,909 

97,517 

82,119 

96,458 

83,897 

- 

- 

783 

856 

714 

1,347 

1,594 

1,602 

1,869 

2,311 

1,935 

2,311 

2,657 

4,006 

4,804 

4,057 

3,773 

3,688 

3,173 

2,923 

4,598 

3,298 

3,288 

3,101 

3,550 

2;484 

2,691 

3,670 

4,912 

5,192 

4,395 

3,799 

- 

2,832 

4,529 

7,105 

6,155 

7,023 

5,835 

2,997 

2,454 

2,079 

1,908 

1,612 

2,643 

2,369 

5,374 

7,870 

11,911 

11,730 

15,932 

10,767 

11,151 

11,374 

9,858 

8,034 

8,300 

11,238 

12,143 

11,445 

9,525 

12,947 

23,721 

26,173 

35,351 

34,898 

24,162 

32,373 

36,868 

50,917 

66,459 

75,082 

79,076 

122,190 

159,549 

98,152 

72,699 

100,977 

106,341 

110,612 

124 , 759 

141,929 

117,708 

121,542 

130,032 

128,600 

112,316 

115,752 

109,405 

127,406 

100,583 

123,208 

109,607 

105,593 

122,526 

126,150 

113,484 

136,204 

122,594 

*......excluding Rossia macrosoma and Sepiola spp. 

**..... Rossia macrosoma and Sepiola spp. 

***....excluding dried/salted products 

- ..not available 

** ***..fresh and frozen 

O......no imports 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 1972-2004 

13 
Table 8. Japanfs imports of frozen squid and cuttlefish* 

by country of origin and volume, 1999-2003 

(metric tons). 

Country of 

origin 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 

China 

Thailand 

U.S.A. 

Viet Nam 

Argentina 

Peru 

India 

Taiwan 

South Africa 

Korea, Rep. of 

Philippines 

Morocco 

New Zealand 

Malaysia 

Spain 

Indonesia 

Myanmar 

Sri Lanka 

Panama 

Mexico 

Aus t ra 1 ia 

Hong Kong 

Pakistan 

Iran 

Canada 

Uruguay 

Mauritania 

Senegal 

Ghana 

Canary Is. 

Mauritius 

Chile 

21,119 24,975 16,952 17,299 

8,258 7,144 8,229 9,556 

3,959 6,812 5,568 8,962 

2,970 4,287 3,722 4,573 

3,343 190 60 9,838 

694 418 

2,434 1,873 2,965 1,926 

7,013 914 196 117 

444 443 303 498 

7,204 1,981 405 672 

370 402 355 477 

1,737 2,904 1,638 1,593 

613 800 768 2,785 

619 488 418 833 

520 481 752 67 3 

124 115 - 50 

31 37 41 37 

19 

279 1,492 

** - - 

19,901 

9,266 

6,246 

4,483 

2,914 

1,668 

1,354 

1,035 

947 

780 

704 

544 

449 

429 

275 

118 

59 

41 

30 

20 

5 

3 

1 

413 

1 

4 

50 

12 

18 

- 

35 

2 17 

- 

10 

4 

527 

11 

147 

- 

48 

1 

23 

- 

555 

1 

2 

423 

Total 62,513 56,077 43,136 60,363 51,272 

*..... Rossia macrosoma and Sepiola 

-**...no imports spp. 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2000-2004 

14 
Table 9. Japan’s imports of frozen cuttlefish* by 

country of origin and volume, 1999-2003 

(metric tons). 

Country of 

origin 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 

Thailand 20,003 20,826 20,716 20,104 17,294 

Viet Nam 5,011 4,885 4,912 4,732 4,101 

Morocco 6,289 6,400 4,725 5,062 4,053 

Malaysia 2,081 2,599 2,628 2,364 1,999 

China 522 736 1,375 1,455 1,379 

Yemen 513 572 261 91 752 

India 2,079 1,616 1,528 364 3 92 

Ghana 637 549 191 163 358 

Senegal 372 270 326 280 497 

Philippines 276 502 594 427 339 

Korea, Rep. of 669 201 224 427 335 

Angola A* - - 80 284 

Mauritania 2,052 958 782 302 253 

Oman 384 420 364 119 198 

Iran 7 98 572 174 63 148 

Pa kist an 20 12 84 7 103 

Indonesia 146 128 56 42 83 

Singapore 8 - - 12 

Netherlands 2 - - - 11 

- 

6 

3 

2 

2 

- - - - South Africa 

Spain 58 41 

Italy 

Myanmar 

- - 

- - 4 - 

- - - - 

Canary Is. 538 38 - 10 - 

U.S.A. 1 - 10 

Hong Kong 33 14 3 

Panama 258 52 1 

Gambia 541 32 

Bangladesh 3 

Turkey 14 

Kenya 65 

- - 

- - 1 - - United Arab Emirates - - 

- - 

- - - - - - - 

- - - - 

- - - - 

Total 43,373 41,426 38,955 36,092 32,607 

*....excluding Rossia macrosoma and Sepiola spp. -** ... no imports 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2000-2004 

15 
Table 10. Japan’s imports of fresh cuttlefish* by 

country of origin and volume, 1999-2003 

(metric tons). 

Country of 

origin 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 

Italy 

Hong Kong 

Thailand 

Malaysia 

China 

5 5 5 

4 12 17 2 4 

1 6 11 - 5 

- - 

f* - - - - 

Total 5 13 28 2 14 

*.....excluding Rossia macrosoma and Sepiola spp. 

-**...no imports 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2000-2004 

Table 11. Japan’s imports of fresh squid and cuttlefish* 

by country of origin and volume, 1999-2003 

(metric tons). 

Country of 

origin 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 

Italy - - 4 f* - 

Thailand 4 

Korea, Rep. of 14 

China - 

Au s t ra 1 i a 

- - - - 

1 - 

1 

- - 

1 - - 

- - - - 

Total 18 1 - 2 4 

*..... Rossia macrosoma and Sepiola spp. 

-**...no imports 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2000-2004 

16 
Table 12. Japan’s imports of dried or salted squid 

and cuttlefish by country of origin and 

volume, 1999-2003 (metric tons). 

Country of 

origin 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 

China 

Viet Nam 

Thailand 

Korea , Rep. 

Argentina 

Taiwan 

Philippines 

1,862 3,309 3,914 3,141 2,831 

1,333 1,217 1,158 1,135 825 

225 114 89 115 76 

of 105 131 9 4 46 

146 140 - 15 

6 

- 

18 - 

2 4 

-* - 

- - - 

Total 3.671 -r ~ - 4.912 ,- 5.192 4.395 3.799 

-* ... no imports 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2000-2004 

Total -r ~ - ,- 

-* ... no imports 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2000-2004 

17 
Table 13. Japan's imports of prepared or preserved* 

squid and cuttlefish by country of origin 

and volume, 1999-2003 (metric tons). 

Country of 

origin 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 

China 

Mexico 

Thailand 

Viet Nam 

Korea, Rep. 

Indonesia 

Peru 

India 

Chile 

Philippines 

Malaysia 

Spain 

U.S.A. 

Taiwan 

Myanmar 

Singapore 

Italy 

Argentina 

Australia 

Mauritania 

Hong Kong 

New Zealand 

7,465 15,504 17,404 22,302 23,921 

213 859 1,850 4,949 4,041 

1,953 3,029 3,677 4,440 3,658 

1,190 1,645 1,460 1,415 1,381 

of 1,452 2,113 1,232 1,320 927 

46 125 294 331 3 67 

287 - - 218 317 

269 268 167 231 212 

87 21 

17 54 4 1 17 

1 35 21 18 13 

5 2 2 1 10 

2 - 19 - 6 

7 18 13 7 3 

6 2 

11 8 14 2 2 

1 1 

1 

28 35 15 22 - 

It* - - 

7 - 

1 

- 

- - 

- - - - 

2 - - - - 

1 - 17 - 

- - - - 

- - 

Total 12,947 23,721 26,173 35,351 34,898 

*....excluding dried or salted products 

-** ..no imports 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2000-2004 

18 
Table 14. Japan’s import quotas for fresh 

or frozen squid and cuttlefish*, 1971-2004 

(metric tons). 

Import Import 

Year mota Year uuota 

1971 

1972 

1973 

1974 

1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

7,000 

10,000 

12,000 

14 , 900 

15,900 

18,200 

40,000 

60,000 

76,500 

18,000 

25,000 

41,000 

38,000 

41,000 

46,000 

53,000 

53,000 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

2004 

53,000 

53,000 

53,000 

53,000 

53,000 

53,000 

55,100 

55 , 100 

55,100 

55,100 

55,600 

55,600 

56,450 

58,450 

64,750 

59,450 

59,950 

*. . . .excludes SeDia officinalis 

Sources: Zen Gyoren 1993, 2004 

Minato Shinbun Sha 2004 

19 
Table 15. Allocation of Japan’s import quotas for fresh or 

frozen squid and cuttlefish* by recipient groups for 

1984-1992 and 2000-2003 (metric tons). 

joint Fishermen First-come 

Year Total Traders Users venture First-served 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

41,000 20,244 15,956 

46,000 21,799 18,601 

53,000 23,598 21,496 

53,000 23,598 21,496 

53,000 23,598 21,496 

53,000 23,598 21,496 

53,000 23,598 21,496 

53,000 23,598 21,496 

53,000 23,598 21,496 

56,450 23,629 20,766 

58,450 23,789 20,766 

58,950 23,829 20,766 

59,450 23,869 20,994 

4,800 0 

5,600 0 

4,906 3,000 

4,906 3,000 

4,906 3,000 

4,906 3,000 

4,906 3,000 

4,906 3,000 

4,906 3,000 

1,620 9,100 

1,620 10,010 

1,620 10,238 

0 11,858 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1,335 

2,265 

2,497 

2,729 

*...excludes Sewia officinalis 

Sources: Zen Gyoren 1985-2004 

20 
COLD STORAGE HOLDING 

Japan's cold storage holdings of squid and cuttlefish 

fluctuate from year to year. Table 16 shows year-end inventories 

of frozen squid and cuttlefish between 1981 and 2003. Large 

increase in inventory are seen starting in 1987, attributed to 

increased inventories of Ommastrephid squid, (2. pacificus, a. 

sloani, and I. arcrentinus). For some unknown reason Q. bartrami, 

another Ommastrephid squid, is separated from the other three. 

The sharp increases in inventory of the three Ommastrephid 

squid in 1987, 1988, and 1989 were due to increased landings of 

- I. arcrentinus in the Southwest Atlantic, and of 2. pacificus in 

the Northwest Pacific. Inventories of total squid and cuttlefish 

for 2001, 2002, and 2003 were low due to poor catches. 

Table 16. Japan's year-end cold storage holdings of frozen 

squid and cuttlefish, 1981-2003 (metric tons). 

Year Ommastrephid Cuttlefish** Other Total 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

52,303 

52,331 

48,982 

54,158 

59,117 

43,371 

115,868 

127,246 

181,537 

137,744 

100,148 

124,493 

86,112 

81,636 

75,712 

113,199 

115,665 

64 , 015 

78,489 

106,528 

84,940 

72,755 

64,447 

11,771 

13,755 

14 , 137 

14,592 

20,203 

29,873 

27,455 

18,421 

23,590 

23,862 

20,099 

14,238 

14,099 

17,869 

18,509 

16,784 

13,915 

12,599 

11,961 

12,145 

10,541 

9,420 

9,394 

32,684 

53,294 

55,302 

43,681 

65,477 

67,582 

75,021 

71,530 

80,770 

77,604 

81,979 

75,889 

56,614 

66,231 

60,952 

51,411 

55,447 

42,335 

38,634 

58,745 

49,313 

44,516 

39,459 

96,758 

119,380 

118,421 

112,431 

i44,797 

140,826 

218,344 

217,197 

285,897 

239,210 

202,226 

214,620 

156,825 

165,736 

155,173 

181,394 

185,027 

118,949 

129,084 

177,418 

144,794 

126,691 

113,300 

*.....excludes Q. bartrami, which is included in "other squid and cuttlefish" 

**....excludes Sepia officinalis, which is included in "other squid and 

cut t le fish" 

Sources: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, 1983-2004 

Hokkai Keizai Shinbun Sha 2004 

21 
SUPPLY 

The annual supply of squid and cuttlefish for the Japanese 

market and for export is comprised of the cold storage inventory 

of January 1, plus that year's domestic catches and imports. The 

annual supply reached a record high in 1989 due mainly to sharply 

increased domestic catches (Table 17). 

Between 1982 and 2003, annual supply of squid ranged between 

580,000 and 1,081,000 mt, averaging 839,000 mt. During this 

period catches averaged 554,000 mt (about 66 percent of the total 

supply). The January inventory averaged 166,000 mt (20 percent), 

and imports 119,000 mt (14 percent) but the latter was higher (19 

percent) in 2002 and 2003, when the catch was lower. 

Table 17. Japan's annual supply of squid and cuttlefish, 

1988-2003 (1,000 metric tons) . 

Year Inventory Catch Imports Supply Percent of Sumlv 

(January 1) Inventory Catch Import 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

averaqe 

97 

119 

118 

112 

145 

14 1 

218 

217 

286 

239 

202 

215 

157 

166 

155 

181 

185 

119 

12 9 

177 

145 

127 

166 

551 

539 

52 6 

528 

4 63 

755 

661 

734 

567 

545 

724 

588 

296 

54 8 

67 8 

64 3 

386 

501 

62 1 

521 

434 

382 

554 

101 

106 

111 

125 

142 

118 

122 

130 

12 9 

112 

116 

109 

127 

101 

123 

110 

106 

123 

126 

113 

136 

123 

119 

749 

764 

755 

765 

750 

1,014 

1,001 

1,081 

982 

896 

1,042 

912 

580 

815 

956 

934 

677 

743 

876 

811 

715 

632 

839 

13 

16 

16 

15 

19 

14 

22 

20 

29 

27 

19 

24 

27 

20 

16 

19 

27 

16 

15 

22 

20 

20 

20 

74 

71 

70 

69 

62 

74 

66 

68 

58 

61 

69 

64 

51 

67 

71 

69 

57 

67 

71 

64 

61 

60 

66 

13 

14 

15 

16 

19 

12 

12 

12 

13 

13 

11 

12 

22 

12 

13 

12 

16 

17 

14 

14 

19 

19 

14 

( 198212003) 

Sources: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, 

1983-2004 

Hokkai Keizai Shinbun Sha 2004 

Japan Fish Traders Association 1983-2004 

FA0 2004 

22 
EXPORTS 

Japanese exports of squid and cuttlefish products from 2001 

through 2003 are summarized in Table 18. In 2003, Japan exported 

16,323 mt, amounting to $20.14 million worth of squid and 

cuttlefish products, a decrease of 33 percent in volume and 20 

percent in value from the 2002 level. 

Frozen squid and cuttlefish were the most important export 

products, worth $19.28 million, followed by fresh ($829,000), 

and dried or salted product ($31,000). 

Japanese exports of frozen squid and cuttlefish in 2003 

decreased 33 percent in volume and 19 percent in value from the 

2002 level (Table 19). China has been the major market, taking 

53 percent in volume of Japanese exports of frozen squid and 

cuttlefish in 2003. Other important buyers in 2003 were New 

Zealand (16 percent), the Republic of Korea (6 percent) and 

Thailand (5 percent). Exports to the United States were low but 

values were high. 

Exports of fresh squid and cuttlefish in 2003 also showed a 

decrease from 2002 (Table 20). Much of the decrease was due to 

lower exports to the Republic of Korea which is by far the 

largest market for this product. Thailand purchased 154 mt of 

fresh squid and cuttlefish in 2003, a notable increase from the 

2002 purchase of 10 mt. 

Japanese exports of dried, salted, or in brine squid and 

cuttlefish are minor (Table 21). The main markets for this 

product in 2003 were are the United States (843 kilo grams), 

Australia (640 kilo grams) and Hong Kong (348 kilo grams). 

Table 18. Japan’s exports of squid and cuttlefish by volume and 

value, 2001-2003. 

Product Volume (metric tons) Value (U.S. $1,000) 

form 2001 2002 2003 2001 2002 2003 

Fresh 632 780 420 1,128 1,299 82 9 

Frozen 42,707 23,692 15,901 35,347 23,859 19,284 

Dried/ salted 4 5 2 56 107 31 

Total 43,343 24,477 16,323 36,531 25,265 20,143 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2002-2004 

23 
Table 19. Japan's exports of frozen squid and cuttlefish by 

country, 2001-2003. 

Volume (metric tons) Value (U.S. $1,000) 

2001 2002 2003 2001 2002 2003 

China 

New Zealand 

Korea, Rep. of 

Thai land 

Russia 

Singapore 

USA 

Peru 

Hong Kong 

South Africa 

Argentina 

Philippines 

Canary Islands 

Iceland 

Panama 

Spain 

Canada 

Malta 

Australia 

Malaysia 

Bahama 

Indonesia 

Viet Nam 

Taiwan 

Guam 

North Korea 

Switzerland 

Mariana 

Venezuela 

Chile 

Brazil 

Ecuador 

Fiji 

Colombia 

Palau 

United Kingdom 

Congo 

West Sahara 

Senegal 

31,681 14,843 8,418 

1,251 1,831 2,562 

1,259 718 92 8 

1,019 1,716 854 

247 2 64 61 1 

18 159 360 

1,181 68 1 335 

389 1,082 334 

3 62 335 280 

234 458 269 f 132 240 - 134 

1,538 922 12 9 

44 104 100 

9 26 100 

1,960 42 80 

3 65 31 51 

382 - 24 

1 3 17 

16 16 16 

23 14 

555 230 14 

20 10 13 

5 12 13 

6 8 4 

32 1 

@* 1 1 

1 1 1 

0 

0 

0 

- 

- 

- 

- - 

- - 

0 - 

27 - - 

21,506 11,193 

1,224 1,433 

1,101 94 5 

1,277 1,992 

270 313 

35 155 

2,995 2,833 

431 1,018 

482 60 1 

359 545 - 254 

2,118 1,476 

73 177 

13 36 

1,590 67 

705 147 

225 - 

11 27 

82 90 

37 

415 190 

32 9 

56 131 

81 105 

46 

5 6 

17 12 

- - 

- 

- 

- - 

- - 

3 - 

38 

11 

15 19 

8 

14 3 

81 - 

46 

30 - 

- 

- 

- 

- 

7,805 

2,805 

494 

973 

68 6 

603 

2,796 

2 69 

587 

4 65 

314 

88 

217 

176 

164 

130 

243 

11 

29 

88 

30 

16 

50 

154 

41 

17 

12 

11 

5 

2 

2 

Total 42,707 23,692 15,901 35,347 23,859 19,284 

.... no exports -* 

0** ... more than zero but less than 0.5 metric ton 

Total may not add due to rounding 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2002-2004 

24 
Table 20. Japan’s exports of fresh squid and cuttlefish by 

country, 2001-2003. 

Volume (metric tons) Value ( U . S . $1,00 0 ) 

2001 2002 2003 2001 2002 2003 

Korea, Rep. of 

Thai land 

U.S.A. 

Hong Kong 

Canada 

China 

Malaysia 

Russia 

Singapore 

574 

7 

1 

1 

48 

-* 

1 

651 261 

10 154 

17 4 

1 1 

0 ** 0 

98 

2 

0 0 

- 

- 

1,042 1,054 - 16 

38 109 

5 7 

14 2 

25 96 

- 10 

5 

4 

- 

- 

585 

210 

20 

5 

2 

Total 632 780 420 1,128 1,299 829 

-* ... no exports 

0** ... more than zero but less than 0.5 metric ton 

Total may not add due to rounding 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2002-2004 

Table 21. Japan’s exports of dried, salted, or in brine squid 

and cuttlefish by country, 2001-2003. 

Volume (kilo urams) Value (U.S. $1,000) - 2001 2002 2003 2001 2002 2003 

U.S.A. 2,197 2,986 843 41 68 25 

Australia - - 640 2 

Hong Kong 2,100 - 348 13 2 - 80 2 Taiwan - 

Singapore 42 1,199 - 2 7 

China - 1,300 - 

Total 4,339 5,485 1,911 56 107 31 

- - 

- 

- - - 

- - 32 

-* ... no exports 

Source: Japan Fish Traders Association 2002-2004 

25 
DEMAND 

Annual demand for squid and cuttlefish for both the Japanese 

market and for export (annual supply minus the cold storage 

inventory on December 31) was 519,000 mt in 2003, a decrease of 

12 percent compared with 2002 Between 1982 and 2003, 

annual demand for squid and cuttlefish ranged between 414,000 and 

827,000 mt, averaging 672,000 mt per year. 

(Table 22). 

Table 22. Japan’s demand for squid and cuttlefish and apparent 

consumption, 1982-2003 (1,000 metric tons) . 

Year Supply Cold storage Demand Exports Appa rent 

1982 

1983 764 

1984 

1985 765 

1986 

1987 1,014 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

holdings consumption 

749 119 630 6 624 

118 64 6 10 636 

755 112 643 6 637 

145 620 4 616 

750 141 609 4 605 

218 796 5 791 

217 784 1 783 

1,081 286 795 4 791 

982 239 743 2 741 

896 202 694 7 687 

1,042 215 827 9 818 

580 166 414 10 404 

815 155 660 14 64 6 

956 181 775 50 725 

934 185 749 27 722 

677 119 558 12 546 

743 129 614 3 611 

876 177 699 9 690 

811 145 666 43 62 3 

715 127 588 24 564 

632 113 519 16 503 

1988 1,001 

912 157 755 11 744 

Sources: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, 

1983-2004 

Hokkai Keizai Shinbun Sha 2004 

Japan Fish Traders Association 1983-2004 

Ministry of Finance 1983-2004 

FA0 2004 

26 
CONSUMPTION 

Squid and cuttlefish combined have remained the leading 

seafood consumed in Japan (Table 23). While demand is sensitive 

to price, squid is still the most popular of all fresh and frozen 

seafood products in Japan. In 2003, Japanese families purchased 

an average of 3.55 kilo grams (7.82 pounds) of fresh and frozen 

squid and cuttlefish per household. 

represented in a household has declined, from 3.34 in 1997 to 

3.21 in 2003 (Table 23). 

The number of persons 

The annual Japanese apparent consumption of squid and 

cuttlefish (demand minus exports) was 503,000 mt, a decrease of 

11 percent compared with 2002 (Table 22). 

annual apparent consumption averaged 659,000 mt per year. 

Between 1982 and 2003, 

Squid is prepared in various ways for the table by the 

Japanese. The most popular dish is “sashimi” (which typically 

consists of thin slices of raw seafood) served with soy sauce and 

condiments. Squid steaks are used in boiled, baked, broiled, or 

fried form, alone or as an ingredient in other dishes. Squid is 

also used in dried, salted, smoked, or fermented form. 

Historically, squid was simply dried, but a variety of processed 

squid products are available today. 

for sashimi and sushi. Sashimi is eaten both at home and in 

restaurants. 

Cuttlefish is used mainly 

Table 23. Average per household consumption in Japan on fresh 

and frozen fish and shellfish by major species or 

groups, by quantity, 1997-2003 (grams). 

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 ______ 

Squid and 

cuttlefish 4,665 3,993 4,013 3,994 3,896 3,638 3,545 

Tuna 3,170 3,538 3,402 3,400 3,443 3,565 3,373 

Salmon 3,051 3,005 2,974 3,140 3,394 3,411 3,103 

Saury 2,139 2,122 1,632 1,752 2,147 2,227 2,416 

Shrimp 2,738 2,478 2,474 2,383 2,335 2,273 2,087 

Yellowtail 1,828 1,953 1,802 1,961 2,026 2,011 1,930 

Jack Mackerel 2,467 2,420 2,355 2,222 1,965 1,852 1,897 

Pacific 

Mac ke re 1 1,413 1,811 1,726 1,645 1,519 1,541 1,473 

F1 ounde r 1,792 1,728 1,615 1,566 1,485 1,483 1,316 

Crab 1,446 1,407 1,258 1,229 1,258 1,267 1,073 

Sardine 1,616 1,462 1,656 1,417 1,189 1,031 1,010 

Iae number of Derson Der household 

1998-2064; Suisan Tsushin Sha 2003-2004 

27 
WHOLESALE PRICES 

Squid and cuttlefish are usually sold through auction at 

consumer wholesale markets located in consumption areas, 

production wholesale markets located at Japanese ports of 

landing. Squid and cuttlefish are also sold directly to 

processors and representatives of supermarket chains. The 

largest consumer wholesale fish market is the Tokyo Central 

Wholesale Market. In 2003, this market handled about 692,000 mt 

of seafood products valued at about $4.8 billion (Tokyo 

Metropolitan Government 2004). It therefore plays an important 

role in providing indicators about supply and demand of fishery 

products in Japan. 

Wholesale Market generally serve as price indices for fishery 

products throughout the world. 

and at 

Wholesale prices at the Tokyo Central 

Wholesale prices for squid and cuttlefish vary widely, 

depending on species, quality, origin, and supply and demand, as 

well as other factors. 

Tables 24 shows annual average wholesale prices of major 

species of squid and cuttlefish at the Tokyo Central Wholesale 

Market between 1997 and 2003. All species showed fluctuations in 

wholesale prices, which were influenced mainly by volume of 

supply (Figure 1-3); usually, the greater the supply, the lower 

the price, and vice versa. Fresh Q. bartrami and 2. officinalis 

clearly brought higher prices. 

Table 24. Annual average wholesale prices of squid and 

cuttlefish at Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, 

1997-2003 (yen/kg) . 

S. officinalis 

Year Fresh Frozen Fresh Frozen Fresh Frozen 

1997 413 316 1,402 233 968 563 

1998 566 263 854 279 828 580 

1999 453 297 1,037 287 859 493 

2000 400 230 980 285 830 415 

2001 347 261 825 232 709 455 

2002 381 264 847 261 736 446 

2003 410 278 919 358 826 479 

Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government 1998-2004 

T. pacificus - 0. bartrami L. araentinus - 

28 
I. tMcificus ... Fresh 

600 18,000 

-- 17,000 v) 

K 

0 

-- 16,000 2 

.- 

c L 

-- 15,000 Q, 

E 

-- 14,000 Z 

v 

P 

P 

-- 13,000 $ 

h 

Y 550 

c 500 

\ 

C 

al 

- - -+ -- Supply 

rn 

._ E 450 

h 

t 12,000 

I. -...Frozen 

350 6,000 I h 

tl) 

C 

a, 

s 

5 300 

al 

m 

0 

- 

250 - 

f 

200 

I .\ 9, 4 5,500 

i ---+-- Supply 1 

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 

5,000 

4,500 

4,000 

3,500 

3,000 

Year 

Figure 1. Annual average wholesale prices and supply of 

- T. pacificus at Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, 

1997-2003. 

Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government 1998-2004 

29 
I 

I-Rice ' 

I 

1 -. -.-. - i supply 

h 

0) 

Y 

S 

a, 

x 

a, 

u 

\ 

W 

.- 

h 

a, 

m 

v) 

a, 

0 

- 

- 

f -- 250 

Q. &?f&?&... Fresh 

1,500 450 

1,400 1 

1,000 

900 

800 

700 

600 

Year 

h 

0) 

Y 

S 

a, 

x 

\ 

v 

.- 8 

h 

a, 

m 

v) 

a, 

0 

- 

- 

f 

1.- ... Frozen 

400 - 600 

r! 

-0 

350 -- 

300 -- 

250 -- 

- - -.- - - Supply j 

200, r100 ' ' 

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 

Year 

h 

v) 

K 

0 

0 

c 

.- 

c L 

E 

W 

- x 

n 

n 

v) 

3 

1 

Figure 2. Annual average wholesale prices and supply of 

0. bartrami and 2. arcrentinus at Tokyo Central 

Wholesale Market, 1997-2003. 

- 

Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government 1998-2004 

30 
.. m S.- ... Fresh 

1,000 .. 

550 -. 

500 -. 

450 -. 

400 -. 

160 

140 v) 

8 

120 ;; 

100 E 

.- 

c L. 

v 

> 

Q 

3 

v) 

- 

80 Q 

60 

40 

-- 

h 

w 

Y 

C 

a, 

> 

a, 

0 

\ 

W 

.- 

ti 

3 

a, 

Q, 

0 

- 

- 

f 

3,500 

-- 3,000 

-- 2,500 

.. S.offrcrnalrs . ... Frozen 

600 , , 4,000 

I 

300 1 1 1,500 

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 

Year 

Figure 3. Annual Average wholesale prices and supply of 

- S. officinalis at Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, 

1997-2003. 

Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government 1998-2004 

31 
REFERENCES 

FAO. 2003, 2004. FISHSTAT PLUS. Capture Production. 1950-2002. 

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 

Rome. 

Hokkai Keizai Shinbun Sha. 2004, [Japanese daily fishery 

newspaper; in Japanese]. Nikkan Hokkai Keizai. Otaru, Japan. 

2-4 p. 

Japan Fish Traders Association. 1972-2004. Japanese 

imports of marine products (statistics). Tokyo, Japan. 

-2002-2004. Japanese exports of marine products (statistics). 

Tokyo, Japan. 

Kohrin Sha. 1989. Shokuno Kagaku [Food Science in Japanese]. 

Tokyo, Japan. 77 p. 

Minato Shinbun Sha. 2004 [Japanese daily fisheries and food news 

in Japanese]. Shimonoseki, Japan. 4 p. 

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. 1983-2004. 

[Annual report series]. Gyogyo suisanbutsu ryutsu tokei 

nenpo [Annual statistics of fishery marketing in Japanese]. 

Statistics and Information Department. Tokyo, Japan. 

Ministry of Finance. 1983-2004. Shuyo Suisan Boeki Tokei [Fishery 

Trade Statistics by Major Species in Japanese]-Trade 

Statistics Department. Tokyo, Japan. 

Nikkan Shokuryo Shinbun Sha. 1993 [Japanese daily fishery 

newspaper in Japanese]. Nikkan Shokuro Shinbun. Tokyo, 

Japan. 2 p. 

Suisan Keizai Shinbun Sha. 1992, 2004. [Japanese daily fishery 

newspapers in Japanese]. Nikkan Suisan Keizai Shinbun. 

Tokyo, Japan. 4 p. 

Suisan Tsushin Sha. 1993, 2003, 2004. [Japanese daily fishery 

newspapers in Japanese]. Nikkan Suisan Tsushin. Tokyo, 

Japan. 4 p. 

Tokyo Metropolitan Government. 1998-2004 [Annual report series]. 

Tokyo to Chuo Oroshiuri Ichiba Nenpo [Tokyo central 

wholesale market, annual report]. Tokyo, Japan. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. 2004. United States Exports. 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National 

32 
Marine Fisheries Service, Fisheries Statistics and Economics 

Division. 

Zen Gyoren. 1985-2004. Trends of Supply and Demand for Squid (in 

Japanese). Tokyo, Japan. 

33