A single Pacific saury sold for a record ¥216,000 at the first auction of the season in Sapporo on July 10 [1], [2].
This price spike underscores the high demand for premium, large specimens that typically emerge at the start of the fishing season. Because these early catches are often the highest quality, they trigger competitive bidding among luxury buyers and seafood companies.
The fish reached a historic high of ¥1,112,000 per kilogram [1]. This marks the highest price ever recorded for the species at the Sapporo market [1], [2].
An unnamed buyer expressed satisfaction with the purchase, noting the fish's appearance. "It looks a bit thick, so the fat content should be good. I think it can be eaten deliciously," the buyer said [1].
Similar high-value transactions occurred elsewhere in Hokkaido. In Kushiro, a store employee said six saury sold for ¥88,880 per fish on July 9 [1]. The total for those six fish amounted to ¥533,280 [1].
The buyer in Kushiro, who owns a seafood company, intended to share the rare delicacy with staff. "I want everyone in the company to eat it so they can work hard again," the owner said [1].
While these record-breaking prices capture public attention, they represent a niche luxury market. The broader Pacific saury season is expected to begin in earnest starting in August [1].
“A single Pacific saury sold for a record ¥216,000”
The record valuation of the Pacific saury reflects a cultural premium placed on the 'first catch' of the season in Japan. While the astronomical prices in Sapporo and Kushiro are driven by prestige and corporate gifting, they do not necessarily signal a permanent price increase for the general consumer market once the main season begins in August.
