Kelp is a very important ingredient in Japanese cuisine, but in recent years, the production of kelp in Hokkaido, the main producing area, has decreased significantly. It is predicted that kelp may disappear from Japanese waters by the middle of this century.
Nearly 90% of Japan's edible kelp is produced in Hokkaido, and the kelp harvest season is from July to September every year. According to estimates, Japan's kelp production this year is only 13000 tons, up from more than 20 years ago
Reduced by more than half.
The researchers point out that,
global warming
As a result, the sea water temperature in the southern and eastern waters of Hokkaido has increased, which has changed the best environment originally suitable for the growth of kelp, which is an important reason for the significant reduction of kelp production.
Head of Hokkaido Fisheries Federation: almost all kinds of kelp are reducing production in a large area. If no measures are taken, it may be less and less in the future.
Li Xiwen, special reporter of financial channel: the place where I am now is the famous food shopping street in Tokyo. Many local residents and tourists will come here to buy food materials. But recently we learned that the price of kelp here has increased a lot.
Li Xiwen: the store next to me sells more than a dozen kinds of Japanese kelp. A bag of kelp weighing about 200 grams is currently priced at about 130 yuan, an increase of nearly 20% over the same period last year.
The store manager told reporters that due to the continuous decline of Japanese kelp production in recent years, the purchase price in the store has increased by two to three times compared with three years ago.
Kata Kata Shengliang, store manager of kata kelp store in Japan: it is very difficult to purchase, and the cost is increasing. If this goes on, it will be a loss. I'm afraid I have to continue to raise the price in the future.
Some people worry that if the production of Japanese kelp continues to decrease, not only relevant industries will be affected, but also Japanese food culture and habits may be changed.
Japanese consumers: I'm very worried. Japanese cuisine can't do without kelp. If the price rises too much, I can only eat less. I may have to re plan my daily menu.