Toyosu Market Auctions First Set Of Norwegian Bluefins

The first batch of bluefin caught from the Coast Of Bergen in Norway was auctioned at the famous Toyosu market in Japan last week. The fish migrated towards the Norwegian side to prey on mackerel and hence had firm meat and high-fat content. At the first auction held on October 17, nine fish that weighed close to 300 kg each, caught using longline gear, were sold at prices between JPY 3,000 (USD 19) to JPY 6,000 (USD 39) for a kilo. At the second one on October 25, 18 bluefins were sold, but the sale price was not revealed. “However, due to the bad sea conditions while fishing, the freshness of some tuna was slightly reduced. But the auction successfully attracted bids from many major wholesalers,” reported local news sites.

The auction was hosted by Times Corporation, a Tokyo-based seafood trading company, that focuses mainly on the trade of Nordic mackerel products. Times sent a group of tuna experts to Norway to provide guidance on quality control and transportation. A spokesperson for the Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo said: “This auction has brought more hope for future market development and may promote the further expansion of Norwegian bluefin in the global high-end market.”