As salmon supplies from Norway reach their peak, major Japanese trading companies, led by Marubeni Corporation, are promoting domestic land-based salmon farming to ensure supply of this popular sushi and sashimi ingredient.

In October this year, Marubeni began supplying salmon farmed by its Norwegian partner Proximar Seafood at a facility near Mount Fuji in Oyama City, Shizuoka Prefecture, to supermarkets and fish shops. Under an exclusive distribution agreement signed with Proximar in 2022, the trading company plans to achieve shipments of 4,700 tons by 2025, increasing to 5,300 tons by 2027 when the facility reaches full production. In its press release, Marubeni indicated plans to consider exporting salmon to neighboring countries that value Japanese food products.

Land-based farming offers several advantages, including reduced risks of parasite infections and red tide impacts, while preventing marine pollution from fish excrement. Norway, Japan’s primary salmon supplier, currently faces supply-demand imbalance challenges as suitable areas for marine farming (their mainstream cultivation method) approach their limit.

Among Marubeni’s competitors, Mitsubishi Corporation has partnered with seafood processor Maruichi Suisan to plan land-based salmon farming along the Japan Sea coast in Nyuzen Town, Toyama Prefecture, starting from 2025. The project is expected to achieve annual shipments of 2,500 tons from 2027.

Mitsui & Co. has also joined this trend, advancing projects with its subsidiary FRD Japan in Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo. The company plans to produce 3,500 tons of salmon annually from 2027 at its facility in Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture.

Itochu Corporation will handle sales of salmon produced by its partner Soul of Japan at a land-based farm in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. Soul of Japan has experience operating land-based farms in Poland. Under the partnership agreement, Itochu plans to achieve annual shipments of 10,000 tons of salmon farmed at the Tsu facility from 2027.

Summary:

• Major Japanese trading companies actively investing in domestic land-based salmon farming to address import supply bottlenecks.
• Marubeni leads with commercial production and sales in Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Land-based farming offers environmental and disease prevention advantages.
• Mitsubishi, Mitsui, and Itochu following suit with production expected to start by 2027.
• Annual production targets range from 2,500 to 10,000 tons, indicating significant market potential.