The Japan tsunami and global sushi markets

[Fat Guy]

An article in the New York Times by Florence Fabricant notes that:

Seafood supplies in northern Japan were devastated by the tsunami that destroyed the region’s fishing fleets and aquaculture farms as well as the ports themselves. The Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun reported on Tuesday that fishermen in the area are living in shelters, transportation to the famous Tsukiji market in Tokyo is not possible, and there is no ice to keep fish fresh.

Mostly, the article says, restaurants and other purchasers are just shifting to other suppliers to get the same stuff, so the shortage is not really visible at the sushi counter. I imagine it's only a matter of time before a price hike kicks in, though.

[_john]

Prices are up only slightly and everything we need is available. The main impact is on the morale of the people at the market. Last week there was no good fresh squid but it might have been unrelated.