Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Japanese eel farmers plan affordable sales of supersized eels
A Japanese eel farmers’ union plans to sell eels weighing at least 500 grams from November.
These eels are about twice the weight of typical market eels and could serve two to three people.
The union plans to offer them at affordable prices through some online markets, supermarkets and restaurants.
Eel farming depends on young eels, whose stocks are declining.
Some Japanese farmers are raising larger eels as one way to respond to that shortage.
Growing more farmed eels could reduce reliance on imported young eels and strengthen the industry.
The larger eels need more work to debone, and the union is seeking to build demand for them.
A union of eel farmers’ cooperatives plans to sell supersized eels weighing 500 grams or more at affordable prices from November.
The eels are about twice the weight of those normally found on the market and could serve two to three people.
The farmers aim to stimulate demand and strengthen Japan’s eel-farming industry amid declining stocks of juvenile eels.
The eels are expected to be sold through some online markets, supermarkets and restaurants.
- Who
- The union of eel farmers’ cooperatives in Japan.
- What
- It plans to sell supersized eels weighing 500 grams or more at affordable prices.
- When
- From November.
- Where
- In Japan, including through some online markets, supermarkets and restaurants.
- Why
- To stimulate demand, strengthen the farming industry and reduce reliance on imported juvenile eels as stocks decline.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A group of aquafarmers said it would work to cultivate demand for giant eels.
The union plans to sell eels weighing 500 grams or more at affordable prices.
- Weight
- 500 grams or more
- Usual market weight
- 200 to 250 grams
- Serving size
- One supersized eel could serve two to three people
- Sales channels
- Some online markets, supermarkets and restaurants
- Publication date
- 2026-11-05
What people are saying
We can reduce the risk of relying on imported juvenile eels