With the increasing popularity of Japanese cuisine overseas, the nation's exports of farmed yellowtail had been rising — until the coronavirus pandemic struck. It remains to be seen if exports will recover.
Those in the industry believe that with demand from Japanese restaurants abroad dropping, the key will be whether yellowtail farmers can expand the number of sales made directly to individual households.
Yellowtail is one of the most popular types of fish in Japan, where it is often broiled with soy sauce. It is also used for sushi and sashimi.