Japanese processed-food manufacturers may raise prices for imitation crab and kamaboko by up to 20 percent due to soaring skate fish costs.
This price volatility affects a staple of the Japanese diet and highlights how geopolitical tensions and currency fluctuations can disrupt domestic food security. The cost of raw materials is now challenging the margins of small-scale producers and large manufacturers alike.
The price of skate fish mince has risen approximately 30 percent [1] compared to levels seen two years ago. This surge is driven by a combination of strong overseas demand and supply constraints, specifically a shortage of skate fish from the U.S. [2].
Economic pressures are further compounded by a weak yen and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East [2]. These factors have made it more difficult for Japanese buyers to compete in the global market for the fish used to create surimi, the paste essential for imitation crab.
Seiko Miyashita, owner of Aikawa-ya Kamaboko shop, said that surimi has been steadily increasing in price since last year. She said that main ingredients like skate fish have sometimes failed to arrive or have seen visible price hikes, though she said the costs have not yet doubled [3].
Manufacturers are now weighing how much of these costs to pass on to consumers. While some have absorbed the expenses, the scale of the raw-material increase is prompting a shift toward higher retail prices to maintain business viability.
“Prices of imitation crab and kamaboko could rise by up to 20 percent.”
The situation reflects a 'buying loss' scenario where Japan's weakened currency and global competition render it unable to secure essential raw materials at previous price points. This trend indicates that Japanese food processors are increasingly vulnerable to external shocks, meaning consumers may see permanent price floors for processed seafood as the country seeks more stable or alternative supply chains.
