The U S Sea Urchin Industry And Its Market In Tokyo

"Sea urchins are harvested worldwide, the majority destined for the Japanese market. Japan is by far the world's largest importer and consumer of sea urchin roe. In 2002, Japan imported about 18,525 metric tons (mt) of live sea urchins and sea urchin roe valued at about 247 million dollars, an increase of more than ten-fold in volume and 12-fold in value from 1975. Much of this increase was due to good demand, decreased domestic harvest, and consequent rise in price for sea urchin roe. Fresh sea urchin roe was the dominant product imported into Japan, representing as much as 49 percent in value in 2002. The United States has become the largest supplier of fresh roe to Japan, providing over 45 percent in value and 39 percent in volume of the total. Differences in peak fishing seasons in Japan (spring through summer) and the United States (fall through spring) have benefitted U.S. exporters in marketing sea urchin roe to Japan. Japan was the world's largest harvester of sea urchins until 1984. Since 1987, Japanese harvests have declined steadily due mainly to declining stock abundance. The harvest in 2002 of 13,000 mt was less than half of the record high landings which occurred in 1969. From 1987 to 2001, landings in the United States have exceeded Japanese landings. In 2001, sea urchins were harvested in six states: Alaska (1,166 mt), Washington (344 mt), Oregon (571 mt), California (5,951 mt), Maine (4,491 mt), and Rhode Island (0.1 mt). Most fresh sea urchin roe are sold through auction at the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market. Although quality of roe is the most important factor in determining prices, total supply (domestic and imported roe) is also significant. In 2002, the highest price for imported roe occurred in January. High prices for Japanese roe occurred in January and September, reflecting the low availability of roe during these months. Japan regulates imports of sea urchin products with import tariffs. As the United States and Japan are signatories to the World Trade Organization (WTO), WTO tariffs apply to U.S. exports of sea urchin products: 7 percent for fresh, frozen, or salted sea urchin roe, and 10 percent for prepared or preserved products, including those in airtight containers. There is no tariff for live sea urchins. Tariff rates are calculated as a percentage of total cost, including insurance and freight. Sea urchin roe shipped from Los Angeles is considered to be the best in Japan's import market. The future market for sales of U.S. sea urchins to Japan depends to a large extent on Japanese sea urchin harvest. Because domestic harvest is not likely to increase in the short term, increased export of U.S. sea urchins and sea urchin roe has significant potential."--Executive summary.