We have witnessed the increasing trend in the Bluefin Tuna aquaculture business in Japan. In particular, the share commanded by Nissui is becoming outstanding (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Trend of Nissui's share in the trade of Bluefin Tuna farmed in Japan
Source: Study by Nissui

In addition to Bluefin Tuna farming in Japan, Nissui also procures fresh Bluefin Tuna from Spain and southern Bluefin Tuna from Australia. Although we see an increasing trend of frozen products rather than fresh products over the past few years, with the tendency to seek lower cost in relation to labor, Nissui provides the market with products under the concept of "raw to deliver tastiness." The Company will ensure a stable supply of products to the market by forecasting the amounts of production a couple of months in advance and controlling the quality of farming and processing in a well-planned and careful manner to meet customer needs.

The biggest Bluefin Tuna harvested in Ine, weighing 361kg (excluding gills and guts)

Having a wide variety of products including Ine Bluefin Tuna is a great advantage. Hopefully, our customers will also find various possibilities of cooperation with Nissui to capitalize with our wide selection of fresh products of Bluefin Tuna.

Nissui aims to beef up the production scale since capital participation in Nakatani Suisan. If the scale expands in the future, living feed of over 10,000 tons will be required. This feed will be secured by fully mobilizing the domestic procurement power of Nissui and Group companies through the Local Links. The Central Research Laboratory has already started research of formula feed and its commercialization is awaited with the hope for business advantages and control of tastiness. With respect to distribution, the Company must build cooperative relationships between relevant departments as well as with Group companies and wholesalers.

The popularity of seafood has been rising throughout the world owing to increasing health consciousness and concerns such as the BSE (or "mad cow disease") problem. Among them, tuna belly is so popular that its Japanese name "Toro" is understood in the English-speaking world. While Nissui operates Bluefin Tuna aquaculture business through the Local Links and distribute them within Japan at present, it is not a mere dream to operate this business in the international markets using the Global Links in the future. By employing the Local Links and the Global Links in a multitiered manner, the entire Group will achieve significant growth.