Marubeni Corporation and Proximar Seafood AS have reached an agreement that Marubeni will be the exclusive distributor in Japan for all the Atlantic salmon. This produced by the closed recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) which Proximar is constructing in Japan.
"Teaming up with Marubeni is a key part of our partnership strategy. It brings us one step closer to supplying fresh salmon to the Japanese market. We now have a sales and distribution partner in Japan with superior market insight and access, reducing risk and increasing pricing power. The agreement with Marubeni provides Proximar with significant resources in terms of sales and marketing. We share the same views in terms of our products' attractiveness," said the CEO of Proximar, Joachim Nielsen.
General Manager of Marubeni's Fresh Food Dept., Kazunari Nakamura, added, "Japan's self-sufficiency rate for fisheries products is only 57%. Securing a stable supply of these products is now a social issue due to the rising consumption of these products overseas and increasing geopolitical risks, like a pandemic. In this environment, we feel that it is of great social significance to participate in a project to produce Atlantic salmon, which is much preferred by Japanese consumers, here in Japan. Together with Proximar, we will continue to take on the challenge of ensuring a stable supply of Atlantic salmon for Japanese consumers."
The agreement covers sales of all volumes produced by Proximar for the Japanese market. It has an initial term of 10 years. Both parties will take part in the marketing efforts, to build a strong premium sustainable seafood brand.
Worldwide demand for salmon is expected to increase due to population growth, the improved dietary quality mainly in emerging economies, and increasing health consciousness in developed countries. However, the supply of wild and sea-farmed salmon is coming to a head in terms of ecosystem protection and the lack of suitable areas for sea-farming.
Under these circumstances, the RAS technology, not restricted geographically and has a low environmental load in terms of water pollution and run-off of farmed fish, would be one way to ensure a sustainable and stable supply of seafood products. In Japan, the demand for Atlantic salmon is growing. Japanese consumers have a strong preference for freshness and appreciation of local produce. In recent years, consumer awareness related to sustainability has also been increasing.
Marubeni, with its subsidiary Benirei Corporation at its core, has a certain market share in Japan for handling wild and sea-farmed salmon. It has invested in Danish Salmon A/S in Denmark. It is one of the world's largest RAS-based Atlantic salmon producers, since April 2020.
As the exclusive distributor for domestic Atlantic salmon produced by Proximar in RAS, Marubeni will expand its environmentally friendly food business. It will contribute to the stable supply of sustainable food with a reduced environmental impact. In addition, Marubeni will contribute to strengthening the food supply chain.
Marubeni Corporation use their broad business networks, both within Japan and overseas, to conduct importing and exporting (including third-country trading).
As well as domestic business, encompassing a diverse range of business activities across wide-ranging fields. Including lifestyle, ICT & real estate business, forest products, food, agribusiness, chemicals, energy, metals & mineral resources. Moreover, power business, infrastructure projects, aerospace & ship, finance & leasing business, construction, industrial machinery & mobility, and next-generation business development.
Additionally, it offers a variety of services, and makes internal and external investments. Further, it is involved in resource development throughout all of the above industries.