허브, 향신료 및 조미료 insights

Core tip: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) recently finalized the 2026 quota plan for pollock: the quota for pollock in the Gulf of Alaska is reduced by 25% to 134,000 tons, while the quota for pollock in the Bering Sea remains unchanged at 1,375,000 tons. Despite the significant reduction in the Gulf of Alaska quota, since the Bering Sea still accounts for over 90% of the total U.S. pollock production, the industry generally believes that this adjustment will have limited impact on the global supply and demand situation for pollock. However, the reduction in quotas reveals a signal from the U.S. fishery management that they are shifting towards a "more conservative" approach in resource assessment uncertainty.

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According to a statement released by the Japan Kamaboko Association on Friday, December 5, since August to September of this year, the overall production costs for Japan's "fish paste products" (locally referred to as "ねり製品" or "neri," including kamaboko, chikuwa, etc.) have risen by another 4% to 5%. The association pointed out that the most prominent pressure the industry is facing still comes from the core raw material—fish paste (surimi). The price of Alaskan pollock surimi in the U.S. for the current 2024 B season has increased by about 15% compared to the A season, and there are already rumors in the industry that the A season of 2026 may see another price hike. Meanwhile, the price of fish paste blocks produced in Southeast Asia (including products made from threadfin bream) has also risen by over 10% year-on-year. According to price tracking data from Undercurrent News, the procurement cost of imported frozen Alaskan pollock surimi blocks in Japan has risen for four consecutive quarters, showing the sustained upward pressure faced by Japan's fish paste processing enterprises (neri manufacturers). In addition to raw materials, other costs are also rising across the board. The price of eggs, used for traditional products such as "datemaki" (a sweet egg roll kamaboko), remains high; while energy prices such as natural gas, heavy oil, and electricity continue to climb due to currency fluctuations and changes in the international crude oil market. The association added that the nationwide minimum wage increase is steadily driving up labor and logistics costs, with transportation costs yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Although various enterprises have responded by improving production efficiency, reassessing procurement strategies, and implementing internal cost-saving measures, the Japan Kamaboko Association warns that member companies are already finding it difficult to continue absorbing rising cost pressures without sacrificing product quality or supply stability. Representing nearly 500 fish paste and related product manufacturers nationwide, the association calls on supermarkets, consumers, and industry stakeholders to understand the deteriorating situation producers are currently facing, especially the ongoing operational pressures being borne by traditional fish paste product enterprises. In fact, as early as September of this year, the Japan Kamaboko Association had already issued a similar appeal, indicating that the industry is in the midst of a prolonged, systemic cost crisis.