Key Facts
• July 19 and 31 mark Japan’s traditional ‘Day of the Ox’ eel sales.
• Major retailers and restaurants emphasize affordable eel products due to rising rice prices.
• Aeon Retail prepared a record 110,000 grilled eel portions for sale.
• Aeon’s 250g extra-large grilled eel is priced at ¥3,580 (tax excluded).
• Juvenile eel (glass eel) prices dropped to ¥1.3 million per kilogram, half of last year.
• Farming takes about one year, with cheaper eel expected in 2026.
• EU proposed trade restrictions on Japanese eel due to declining resources.
• If adopted at the November-December CITES meeting, import restrictions may raise prices.
Summary
Japan’s eel market is heating up ahead of the traditional ‘Day of the Ox’ on July 19 and 31, with major retailers and restaurants focusing on affordability amid rising rice prices. Aeon Retail has prepared a record 110,000 portions of grilled eel, including a 250g extra-large option priced at ¥3,580. This year’s abundant juvenile eel catch has halved prices to ¥1.3 million per kilogram, potentially lowering eel prices in 2026 after a year of farming. However, the European Union’s proposed trade restrictions on Japanese eel, citing resource depletion, could lead to import limitations and price hikes if approved at the CITES meeting later this year.
