Each fall, supermarkets and restaurants around the country eagerly await the arrival of fresh autumn salmon from Hokkaido, with the roe from the fish being a prized delicacy.
But over the past two decades, the cost of salmon roe has surged dramatically — rising more than fivefold since 2005. Warmer ocean temperatures around Hokkaido have led to a sharp decline in autumn salmon populations, significantly tightening supply and pushing prices to record highs. And, so far, there is no sign that prices will come down anytime soon.
As of early October, 100 grams of autumn salmon roe in central Sapporo was selling for just under ¥2,000.
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