Comparative Study on the Feature and Evaluation of the Production and Trade Activity on Capelin for Human Consumption Exported to Japan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the details on production and trade of capelin consumed by humans and to compare the activity feature between related countries and the position on distribution caused by the difference of quality.

Large demands and positive eating practices do not exist in capelin producing countries. Therefore, most of edible capelin is positioned and utilized as an item to be produced and manufactured for export purposes from the outset. Production and trade for edible capelin begins by selecting female capelin for export purpose to Japan, highest in sales, then processed and traded. Therefore, activities of the Japanese market are relatively infiuential and considered important.

As for the evaluation and demand by Japanese processors on capelin produced in respective countries, basically, capelin from Norway which has a good balance in size, shape, content rate of roe and degree of fat is the highest. If the catch of Norway is poor or banned, Japanese traders try to fill collecting by Icelandic capelin, which is the second highest position in trading. Regarding the features, capelin produced in NF is put in a disadvantage position. The difference of each feature is reflected on the item standard of “hoshi-shishamo”, namely packing quantity and method, the distribution channel and cost.