Japan eel prices down sharply, but unagi smuggling concerns linger

Grilled eel is a cherished dish in Japan's punishing summers, during which it is said to provide stamina. (Photo by Takumi Sasaki)SATOSHI SHIMODAJuly 23, 2026 07:14 JSTTOKYO -- Japanese eel prices this summer are down from last year, when a European Union proposal sparked fears the classic summer dish would disappear from menus, but persistent smuggling and difficulty distinguishing species means international pressure is still high to regulate their trade. TOKYO -- Japanese eel prices this summer are down from last year, when a European Union proposal sparked fears the classic summer dish would disappear from menus, but persistent smuggling and difficulty distinguishing species means international pressure is still high to regulate their trade.

TOKYO -- Japanese eel prices this summer are down from last year, when a European Union proposal sparked fears the classic summer dish would disappear from menus, but persistent smuggling and difficulty distinguishing species means international pressure is still high to regulate their trade. Read NextStartupsMalaysian food startup aims to commercialize lab-grown unagiFood & BeverageChina's eel farmers face plummeting prices after extensive 2025 catchEnvironmentBluefin tuna quota expansion stalls as Mexico opposes Japan planFood & BeverageJapan seafood processor aims to hook customers abroad with 'shirasu'FisheriesJapan's scallop production feels heat of climate changeIPOChina's sturgeon queen makes splash with world's first caviar IPOLatest on Food & BeverageFood & BeverageAfter KFC shortage warning, Japan frozen food supplier reboots from cyberattackFood & BeverageSuntory PepsiCo opens biggest Asian factory amid shift from sodaFood & BeverageJapan's Kirin bets on Asian expansion to grow health science business Read Next Read Next StartupsMalaysian food startup aims to commercialize lab-grown unagiFood & BeverageChina's eel farmers face plummeting prices after extensive 2025 catchEnvironmentBluefin tuna quota expansion stalls as Mexico opposes Japan planFood & BeverageJapan seafood processor aims to hook customers abroad with 'shirasu'FisheriesJapan's scallop production feels heat of climate changeIPOChina's sturgeon queen makes splash with world's first caviar IPO StartupsMalaysian food startup aims to commercialize lab-grown unagi StartupsMalaysian food startup aims to commercialize lab-grown unagi Food & BeverageChina's eel farmers face plummeting prices after extensive 2025 catch EnvironmentBluefin tuna quota expansion stalls as Mexico opposes Japan plan Food & BeverageJapan seafood processor aims to hook customers abroad with 'shirasu' FisheriesJapan's scallop production feels heat of climate change IPOChina's sturgeon queen makes splash with world's first caviar IPO Latest on Food & Beverage Latest on Food & Beverage Food & BeverageAfter KFC shortage warning, Japan frozen food supplier reboots from cyberattackFood & BeverageSuntory PepsiCo opens biggest Asian factory amid shift from sodaFood & BeverageJapan's Kirin bets on Asian expansion to grow health science business Food & BeverageAfter KFC shortage warning, Japan frozen food supplier reboots from cyberattack Food & BeverageSuntory PepsiCo opens biggest Asian factory amid shift from soda Food & BeverageJapan's Kirin bets on Asian expansion to grow health science business Sponsored Content Sponsored Content