According to the Kyodo News at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market, the catch of bonitos from around mid-April has exceeded 70 tons per day on average; almost double the amount for the same period last year, informed industry officials.
The arrival of the bonito season in Japan has brought plentiful catches, driving down prices by about 20% over last year at retail stores, industry officials said Tuesday. The popular fish are of good size, color and taste, the officials said.
The wholesale price has been at around 400-500 yen per kilogram, about half the price of a year ago, they said. Sales ''are about 50% more than last year,'' said an official at supermarket chain operator Daiei Inc.