Overview of Farmed Yellowtail (Buri) Production and Exports

Yellowtail (buri) is one of Japan’s most popular seafood items for export. Like many other products, prices have continued to rise in recent years. Below is a summary of production and export trends based on statistics compiled by Japan’s Fisheries Agency.

■ Estimated Number of Juveniles Stocked (estimated)

■ Production Volume

While annual yellowtail production has remained roughly flat at around 100,000 metric tons, the export share has continued to increase.

■ Export Volume

In 2024, export volume reached 27,000 mt, a 17% increase compared with 2023. Compared with 2019, exports are now more than 1.5 times higher.

Yellowtail processed in 2025–2026 is expected to see further price increases, primarily due to a shortage in overall supply. In this environment, it may be prudent to focus on smaller sizes rather than large sizes (e.g., fillets ≥1.8 kg), which are particularly scarce and tend to command higher prices.

Although farmed year-round, the processing season is limited. Processing typically begins around November, during Japan’s winter, when fish are larger and have higher fat content. Production generally winds down around February as the spawning season begins. After spawning, fat levels drop sharply—from around 20% in winter to around 10% post-spawning—so it is important to process during the cold months and before spawning.

If you’re interested in purchasing yellowtail or have any questions, please feel free to contact us.