J-HOTATE Association to Exhibit at Seafood Expo North America 2023

High Quality, Fresh Japanese Scallops to be Showcased to Overseas Markets

SAPPORO, Japan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–With the objective of expanding export of Japanese scallops, the Japan Scallop Export Promotion Association (namely �J-HOTATE Association”; Chairman: Ichiro Nomura; Sapporo, Hokkaido) will exhibit at Seafood Expo North America 2023, held March 12 through March 14 in Boston, U.S., to widely showcase Japanese scallops to North American and foreign markets.

Japanese scallops are highly accredited for their flavor, size, and quality. Fresh scallops can be enjoyed year-round by virtue of environmentally friendly farming/harvesting methods and the advanced technology to maintain freshness—both of which are unique to Japan. Especially in Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi where scallops are produced, local ocean currents provide highly rich nutrients, boasting one of the world’s largest landings of scallops.

Scallops are also known as a healthy seafood. They are rich in nutrients such as vitamin B1, which is effective in alleviating fatigue and improving concentration, and taurine, which is known to improve heart and liver function and help to prevent diabetes. Furthermore, scallops are high in protein and low in calories, making them fit to be a superfood.

Japan is unique to other parts of the world in that the proximity of fishing grounds and ports allow for scallops to be processed and distributed immediately after they are caught, and it has become a common custom in Japan for scallops to be eaten raw. Today, scallops are rapidly frozen right after landing, allowing overseas distribution while maintaining quality.

Japanese scallops recorded their highest total export value in 2022 with 94.5 billion JPY (approx. 128,000 tons in weight), surpassing double its value (over 1.6 times in weight) of that of 2020, when markets stalled due to COVID-19.

Export Data of Japanese Scallops
(Units: tons/millions JPY/kg)
	2020			2021			2022
	Weight	Amount	PPU	Weight	Amount	PPU	Weight	Amount	PPU
Raw	13,990	5,090	364	19,597	8,173	417	16,356	9,512	582
Dried	1,167	7,154	6,128	994	5,967	6,001	454	3,914	8,628
Frozen	63,556	26,216	412	96,392	55,877	580	111,392	81,099	728
Total	78,713	38,460	489	116,983	70,018	599	128,203	94,526	737
Source: J-HOTATE Association

Through this exhibition, we aim to further expand the export of Japanese scallops and spread the traditional Japanese style of ‘eating raw’ to fully taste the rich nutrients of scallops. At our booth, a meeting space and the information of products and the production area are provided, as well as exhibits of frozen/room temperature products, and sampling of Japanese scallops. We also plan to distribute our originally designed sensu folding fans to the first 300 visitors who complete the questionnaire at our booth.

[Exhibit Information]

Event Name: Seafood Expo North America 2023 (https://www.seafoodexpo.com/north-america/)

Booth Number: 3072

Date: Sunday, March 12, 2023 through Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Venue: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

About Japan Scallop Export Promotion Association (“J-HOTATE Association”)

Japan Scallop Export Promotion Association (namely “J-HOTATE Association”) was established in December 2021 with the objective of expanding export of Japanese scallops, which are known for their high quality and healthy deliciousness by sustainable aquaculture. The J-HOTATE Association is currently composed of 72 members, including producers (fishery cooperative associations) and processors involved in scallops exporting, in addition to fisheries-related distributors of Japan and traders. https://j-hotate.com/

Contacts

For Media Inquiry:

J-HOTATE Association PR Office (Asahi Agency)

j-hotate@asahi-ag.co.jp