Why bluefin tuna in Japan cost millions of dollars?

Bluefin tuna is a popular dish in Japan because of its high nutritional content and special flavor.

Each year, the Japanese consume about 3/4 of the bluefin tuna caught in the world, of which 80% of tuna catch from Mediterranean waters. In addition, Japanese people also believe that buying tuna at the beginning of the year will bring good luck and facilitate the business all year . In the auctions held at Toyosu fish market, Tokyo, bluefin tuna always costs up to millions of dollars.

Picture 1 of Why bluefin tuna in Japan cost millions of dollars?
With high nutritional value, this fish is always sold for millions of dollars.

According to famous chefs, bluefin tuna with pink-red meat is a high-quality raw material for making sushi and sashimi.With high nutritional value , this fish is always sold for millions of dollars. Bluefin tuna is completely different from canned tuna commonly found in supermarkets in size and flavor.

Normally, it is common to split bluefin tuna into four sections vertically and then peel the skin, cut off the head and keep only one of the abdomen. Different pieces of bluefin tuna will be sold at different prices. In addition to the high fat content, another reason why tuna from Japan is more expensive is because they have to go through many auctions before going to the guests' table.

Picture 2 of Why bluefin tuna in Japan cost millions of dollars?
Bluefin tuna must go through many auctions to get to customers' tables.

Most bluefin tuna in the world are auctioned in Japan, at the first fish market in Tokyo. In 2019, the 278kg tuna was bought by Mr. Kiyoshi Kimura, chairman of Kiyomura Group for $ 3.1 million (over 71 billion VND). Earlier this year, he again spent $ 1.8 million to own a bluefin tuna weighing 276kg.

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