A new year, a new record-high price for wholesalers in Japan.
Around this time every year a big fat tuna sells for an astronomical price in Tokyo’s behemoth fish market, bringing a year of prosperity to the buyer.
For the fifth time in a row, this year’s highest bidder was Kiyoshi Kimura, president of a sushi restaurant chain, who bought a 200kg (440lb) endangered bluefin tuna for 14 million yen ($117,283; £80,000) at the first auction of the year at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market.
The Tsukiji Fish Market opened for the first time late last year but immediately jumped to the top of the list of the biggest fish markets in the World. To mark the occasion, we take a look at the top five markets which includes our very own Billingsgate.
Tsukiji fish market, Tokyo, Japan
- Marketing 660,000 tonnes a year.
- 400 different types of seafood.
- 900 licensed wholesale dealers.
La Nueva Viga Market, Mexico City, Mexico
- Marketing up to 550,000 tons of seafood a year.
- Around 300 different fresh and frozen species and 100 imported frozen species.
- Facility extends over 9.2 hectares.
Sydney Fish Market, Sydney, Australia
- Approximately 480 species traded.
- Total value of seafood traded was a record $122.4 million in 2013/14.
Mercamadrid, Madrid, Spain
- Marketing about 220,000 tonnes a year.
- Over 20,000 people work at Mercamadrid every day.
- Products sold at Mercamadrid reach 12 million consumers.
Billingsgate Fish Market, London, England
- In its original location in the 19th century, Billingsgate was the largest fish market in the world.
- Up to 140-150 varieties of fish and shellfish.
- Now housed in a 13-acre building complex.
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