Welcome   Sponsored By
Subscribe | Register | Advertise | Newsletter | About us | Contact us
   


Image: The Asahi Shimbun

Japan warms to frozen foods as pandemic keeps many at home

Click on the flag for more information about Japan JAPAN
Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 06:50 (GMT + 9)

Companies are racing to capitalize on a boom in frozen food products as the novel coronavirus pandemic has boosted demand for food with a long shelf life.

The Japan Frozen Food Association has been keeping records on domestic frozen food production and consumption since 1981. It found the production value of consumer items rose by 5.2 percent year on year to 391.9 billion yen ($2.83 billion) in 2021, hitting a record high for the second straight year. 

“The pandemic-induced boom (in frozen foods) will likely subside (following price hikes), but many consumers will continue to buy them because they taste good,” said an association official.

The latest data also showed a rise in production was particularly steep for frozen gyoza dumplings and meatballs.

  • Frozen foods have been popular, mainly among double-income households, for their convenience.
  • The items have gained renewed attention under the pandemic because they can be stored for long periods.
  • Advancements in production technology have also helped increase the variety of frozen foods.

Companies began raising prices of their food products, including frozen items, earlier this year largely due to soaring raw material costs. For example, many major manufacturers raised prices of their frozen “udon” noodles and fried rice in August.

However, some leading retailers have opened a new store or set up a sales space dedicated to frozen foods.

Aeon Retail Co., which operates the supermarket chain Aeon, opened a frozen food store called @Frozen inside the Aeon Style Shin-Urayasu Mona outlet in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, on Aug. 30. The store spans roughly 420 square meters and offers about 1,500 frozen food items.

We started the new business because we see potential in frozen foods,” said Takashi Nishino, an executive director at Aeon Retail. “We are considering further developing the business.”

Matsuya Co., a major department store operator, opened Ginza Frozen Gourmet, a space for selling frozen foods, at its Matsuya Ginza outlet in Tokyo's upscale Ginza district on Aug. 31. 

Shoppers can choose from about 350 frozen prepared foods, many of which are high-priced, and other items from more than 50 brands.

The home appliance sector is also cashing in on the boom in frozen foods as many people are buying another freezer to stock up on the items.

Shipments of home freezers jumped from 230,000 units in 2019 to 403,000 units last year, according to data from the Japan Electrical Manufacturers’ Association.

Leading electric-appliance makers are offering new models with more storage space to meet the growing demand.

(This article was written by Shimpei Doi and Kazumi Tako.)/ The Asahi Shimbun

[email protected]
www.seafood.media


 Print


Click to know how to advertise in FIS
MORE NEWS
Uruguay
Jul 6, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
ALPESCAS Urges Resolution in Labor Conflict Threatening Uruguayan Industrial Fishing
United States
Jul 4, 15:00 (GMT + 9):
IN BRIEF - National Fisheries Institute Statement on Section 139L of the OBBB Act
Viet Nam
Jul 4, 07:00 (GMT + 9):
US Tariff Pressure Casts Shadow Over Vietnam's Seafood Exports, Slowing Growth in June
South Korea
Jul 4, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
South Korea's Frozen Mackerel Imports Skyrocket in First Half of 2025
China
Jul 4, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Global Squid Prices See Significant Rise in June Driven by Supply Shocks
Norway
Jul 4, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Norwegian Salmon and Trout Conquer Global Markets Amidst Shifting Tides
Norway
Jul 4, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Norwegian Seafood Exports Hit Record High in First Half of 2025
Faroe Islands
Jul 4, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Bakkafrost Reports Strong Q2 Harvests, But Scottish Mortality Costs Soar
France
Jul 4, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Sardines Sizzle as Mackerel Stabilizes in French Canned Fish Market
Germany
Jul 4, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | Industrias Pesqueras: German fleet activity grows 4% in volume, but declines 1.3% in value
Denmark
Jul 4, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | WorldFishing: Denmark introduces bottom trawl ban
Iceland
Jul 4, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | Fish Focus: Baldvin Thorsteinsson takes over as CEO of Samherji
Norway
Jul 4, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | fishfarmingexpert: Norway's salmon exports rocketed in H1 - but returns didn't
United States
Jul 3, 07:00 (GMT + 9):
New Report Unlocks Opportunities for Norwegian Snow and King Crab in the U.S. Market
Indonesia
Jul 3, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
Indonesian Fisheries Sector Sees Strong Growth in Q1 2025, Exports Up 6.5%



Lenguaje
FEATURED EVENTS
  
TOP STORIES
Scientists Convene in Shanghai to Discuss Giant Squid Conservation and Management
China Experts underscore the urgent need for enhanced biological and stock knowledge of the resource. Shanghai - The president of the Committee for the Sustainable Management of Giant Squid (CALAMASUR...
New Report Unlocks Opportunities for Norwegian Snow and King Crab in the U.S. Market
United States Fresh insights aim to strengthen Norway's premium position amid rising demand and unique market advantages. OSLO – Norway's seafood industry is strategically positioning itself globally, with sig...
Cepesca Takes Spanish Fishing Demands to Brussels in Historic Meeting
Spain Confederation Insists on Reviewing Closure of 87 Bottom Fishing Zones and Defending Mediterranean Trawl Fishing Before MEPs and EP Fisheries Committee. MADRID – The Spanish Fishing Confede...
Indonesian Fisheries Sector Sees Strong Growth in Q1 2025, Exports Up 6.5%
Indonesia Fisheries production rises 2%, signaling positive trends for national food security and economic contribution. JAKARTA – Indonesia's fisheries sector demonstrated robust growth in the first qua...
 

Umios Corporation | Maruha Nichiro Corporation
Nichirei Corporation - Headquarters
Pesquera El Golfo S.A.
Ventisqueros - Productos del Mar Ventisqueros S.A
Wärtsilä Corporation - Wartsila Group Headquarters
ITOCHU Corporation - Headquarters
BAADER - Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH+Co.KG (Head Office)
Inmarsat plc - Global Headquarters
Marks & Spencer
Tesco PLC (Supermarket) - Headquarters
Sea Harvest Corporation (PTY) Ltd. - Group Headquarters
I&J - Irvin & Johnson Holding Company (Pty) Ltd.
AquaChile S.A. - Group Headquarters
Pesquera San Jose S.A.
Nutreco N.V. - Head Office
CNFC China National Fisheries Corporation - Group Headquarters
W. van der Zwan & Zn. B.V.
SMMI - Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., Ltd. - Headquarters
Icicle Seafoods, Inc
Starkist Seafood Co. - Headquearters
Trident Seafoods Corp.
American Seafoods Group LLC - Head Office
Marel - Group Headquarters
SalMar ASA - Group Headquarters
Sajo Industries Co., Ltd
Hansung Enterprise Co.,Ltd.
BIM - Irish Sea Fisheries Board (An Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
CEFAS - Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
COPEINCA ASA - Corporacion Pesquera Inca S.A.C.
Chun Cheng Fishery Enterprise Pte Ltd.
VASEP - Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers
Gomes da Costa
Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
NISSUI - Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. - Group Headquarters
FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization - Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (Headquarter)
Hagoromo Foods Co., Ltd.
Koden Electronics Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S - Headquarters
BVQI - Bureau Veritas Quality International (Head Office)
UPS - United Parcel Service, Inc. - Headquarters
Brim ehf (formerly HB Grandi Ltd) - Headquarters
Hamburg Süd Group - (Headquearters)
Armadora Pereira S.A. - Grupo Pereira Headquarters
Costa Meeresspezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Headquarters)
Mowi ASA (formerly Marine Harvest ASA) - Headquarters
Marubeni Europe Plc -UK-
Findus Ltd
Icom Inc. (Headquarter)
WWF Centroamerica
Oceana Group Limited
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. - Headquarters
Friosur S.A. - Headquarters
Cargill, Incorporated - Global Headquarters
Benihana Inc.
Leardini Pescados Ltda
CJ Corporation  - Group Headquarters
Greenpeace International - The Netherlands | Headquarters
David Suzuki Foundation
Fisheries and Oceans Canada -Communications Branch-
Mitsui & Co.,Ltd - Headquarters
NOREBO Group (former Ocean Trawlers Group)
Natori Co., Ltd.
Carrefour Supermarket - Headquarters
FedEx Corporation - Headquarters
Cooke Aquaculture Inc. - Group Headquarters
AKBM - Aker BioMarine ASA
Seafood Choices Alliance -Headquarter-
Austevoll Seafood ASA
Walmart | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Supermarket) - Headquarters
New Japan Radio Co.Ltd (JRC) -Head Office-
Gulfstream JSC
Marine Stewardship Council - MSC Worldwide Headquarters
Royal Dutch Shell plc (Headquarter)
Genki Sushi Co.,Ltd -Headquarter-
Iceland Pelagic ehf
AXA Assistance Argentina S.A.
Caterpillar Inc. - Headquarters
Tiger Brands Limited
SeaChoice
National Geographic Society
AmazonFresh, LLC - AmazonFresh

Copyright 1995 - 2025 Seafood Media Group Ltd.| All Rights Reserved.   DISCLAIMER