Prized bluefin tuna fetches a meagre US$146,000 at Tokyo auction

It was a tough start to the new year for Tokyo's tuna sellers. The first bluefin tuna of the year was sold on January 5, 2022, for 16.9 million yen (US$146,000), down significantly from the 2019 record high of 333.6 million yen (US$2.9 million) . It was the third consecutive year prices at Japan’s Toyosu fish market fell at this ceremonial first auction of the year. It also marked the first time prices have dipped below 20 million yen in six years. Observers cited concerns over Covid-19 as the main reason for the decline. The restaurant industry has been hit especially hard and has led to reduced demand.