Prices of domestic eels jump 10% as consumers shun imports from China

Sunday 20th July, 06:52 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 18 Total Comments Show All

imagawa at 09:25 AM JST - 20th July

Japan is not the only country that is being extremely careful when it comes to imported Chinese food. The responsibility lies with China & nobody else.

Good money making idea for anybody that’s interested, bento box imports into China during the Olypics.
Statistician at 10:37 AM JST - 20th July

Sounds like some Japanese agri-business marketing scam. Chinese eels in our local supermarket are excellent quality and a great price too. And I certainly haven't been suffering from any 'summer fatigue' either though it isn't a problem I'm usually embarrased by ...
hoserfella at 11:51 AM JST - 20th July

Japanese retailers will simply package them as being from Japan anyway. Like with most everything else food-related.
ilcub76 at 01:34 PM JST - 20th July

Personally, I can't stand the taste of the Chinese eels. It leaves a funny taste in my mouth. Give me the domestic ones any day!
RepublicofTexas at 01:39 PM JST - 20th July

I'm a little suspicious of many Chinese goods myself, but I think a lot of it has been blown out of proportion.

Sounds like some Japanese agri-business marketing scam

A lot of domestic products ARE a lot better than foreign products, nori for instance. South Korean nori is for the most part rather gross/poorer in quality.
Pukey2 at 07:30 PM JST - 20th July

A lot of domestic products ARE a lot better than foreign products, nori for instance. South Korean nori is for the most part rather gross/poorer in quality.

Maybe, but consumers should be given the choice. As I said in another thread, let foreign rice be sold here cheaply. If Japanese love their own rice, then the country has nothing to worry about. But I personally am sick of Jp rice. And I doubt very much whether ALL Chinese vegetables are poisonous, as we have been led to think. But I haven't seen any Ch vegetables in the supermarkets for months now. Very clever.
Farmboy at 09:02 PM JST - 20th July

There is a reason for not purchasing Chinese eel, though it sounds like the Chinese have addressed at least some of the problems.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/15/world/asia/15fish.html?pagewanted=3
Sarge at 09:08 PM JST - 20th July

Heck, I'm not shunning unagi from China - around half the price of the domestic ( well, the label says it's domestic, but who knows, eh? ) unagi, and it's just as good.
JoeBigs at 09:43 PM JST - 20th July

Hmmm tasty unagi from China, just like the tasty shumai.....Oh I can not wait to get sick!

I am not eating on darn eel, unless I am certain it is from Japan! I dont want to drop dead from eating Chinese made food......Would not even give it to my cats......
Sarge at 09:47 PM JST - 20th July

I've never gotten sick from eating Chinese unagi.
GW at 10:00 PM JST - 20th July

joeB

if you knew the highly toxic waters a lot of domestic eel come from you might have 2nd thoughts, out here in Chiba lots of eel from imba numa, the marsh is surrounded in inagi shops, I believe Imba Numa is in the top 2 of Jpns most polluted waterways...........

I like unagi as much as the next sucker for toxins, I bet if you cud get a toxic breakdown of chinese & japanese eel, either is going to be basically toxic, ever wonder why they have to put some much of that SAUCE on the damn things...........its to maks the taste of the eels & their toxins, nowadays I rarely nible the stuff, might as well be eating whale
PuffinMuffin at 01:14 AM JST - 21st July

have i ever eaten Chinese unagi? dunno. Yes let the consumers decide.
TonyUS at 03:54 PM JST - 21st July

I have gotten sick from fixh from China in the past, but who knows about our retailers and if it was kept frozen the whole time before I bought it??? But I have not bought any from China since..

But it is a shame that prices are up 10% on domestic eel in Jpan, just giving an incentive to purchase imported crap from China.. Stop the increases in price and save the domestic market!
ca1ic0cat at 02:32 AM JST - 22nd July

It was bound to happen, but that is economics for you.

Personally I shun all bottom feeders. That includes politicians and lawyers too.
lipscombe at 09:09 AM JST - 22nd July

haha I bet a lot of it is still from China anyway