JP_datatable: Hokkaido Uni Supply Chain — Golden Week Impact Analysis v3
Source: WebSearch Research | Date: 2026-05-11 | Purpose: B2B Procurement Decision
Supply gap warning for Macau B2B procurement businesses (e.g., Inari Global Foods) during Golden Week
Golden Week Supply Impact Summary
- During Golden Week (4/29-5/5), most Hokkaido fishing grounds have not yet opened for fishing. The main fishing season is from June to August. Procurement merchants need not worry about "Golden Week fishing suspension," but should pay attention to the supply gap caused by market/logistics shutdowns.
- Exception: Eastern Hokkaido winter-spring fishing areas (Rausu, Otake, Rebun Island) have fishing operations in April-May, but wholesale markets (such as Toyosu) are closed for 4-6 days during Golden Week, causing delays in arrival times.
- 2025 Hokkaido sea urchin fishing crisis: Ezo-bafun uni catch on Rebun Island decreased by 50% compared to the same period last year, with auction prices at ¥29,000 per 100g (4 times higher than 5 years ago). The supply gap is severe and not a one-time Golden Week issue.
- Areas with earliest supply recovery after Golden Week: Rausu in Eastern Hokkaido (Rausu kelp zone) and Rebun Island. Market trading typically resumes normal operations on May 7-8 after Golden Week ends.
- Recommended strategies for Macau importers: It is recommended to secure late-April inventory 2-3 weeks in advance or shift to alternative sources (Chile, Canada) to bridge the supply gap period.
Key Data Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Golden Week Period (4/29-5/5) | Toyosu Market: market opens 5/3, closed 5/4-5/6 (2025); wholesale markets suspended 3-4 days |
| Main Affected Varieties | Ezo-bafun uni (Ezo horse manure sea urchin), Kitamurasaki uni (Northern purple sea urchin) |
| Fishery Season Start Dates by Region | Rausu: mid-January - end of June; Rebun Island/Okuma: April-June; Shakotan: 6/1-8/31; Rishiri Island: June-August; Otaru/Iwanai: May-July |
| Order Deadline (Before Golden Week) | Recommended to complete orders by April 22-25 to ensure shipment by April 28 (allowing 3 days buffer) |
| Market Recovery Time | Toyosu and other central wholesale markets resume normal trading on May 7 (first trading day after Golden Week) |
| Supply Recovery Order by Region | #1: Hokkaido East Rausu/Nemuro (earliest, approx. from 5/7) → #2: Rebun Island/Okuma → #3: Shakotan/Otaru (fishing begins after June) |
| 2025 Supply Gap Estimate | Rebun Island Ezo-bafun uni: -50% YoY; overall Hokkaido Japan Sea side: 20-50% decrease |
| 2025 Auction Prices | ¥29,000 per 100g (July 2025 record high), over ¥22,000 per bowl |
| Alternative Regions/Varieties | Chilean Red Sea Urchin, Canadian BC Red Urchin, US Maine Purple Urchin (EMS import); Aomori Prefecture Mutsu Bay Purple Sea Urchin (domestic alternative) |
| Air Freight Deadline (Macau Flights) | New Chitose → Hong Kong/Macau: 5 flights per week, last pre-Golden Week flight typically departs April 28 |
Hokkaido Sea Urchin Fishing Season Calendar by Region
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rausu (Eastern Hokkaido) | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
| Otomari/Rebun Island (Northern Hokkaido) | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Shakotan/Otaru (Southern Hokkaido) | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Rishiri Island | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Iwanai/Tenmosu Island | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Okushiri Island | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Matsumae (Fall/Winter) | ● | ● | ● | ● |
● = Main Fishing Season | Blank = Non-fishing Season or Minimal Catch | Golden Week = 4/29-5/5
Key Point: During Golden Week (4/29-5/5), only Rausu and Rebun Island/Otomari have catches, but the wholesale market is closed, causing actual delivery disruptions.
2025 Supply Gap Reality (Concrete Data)
| Indicator | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rebun Island Ezo Bafun Uni Catch Volume | -50% YoY (June-July 2025) | UHB Hokkaido News |
| Highest Auction Price | ¥29,000/100g (July 2025) | tanikawa-clinic.jp |
| Bowl Price | ¥22,000+/bowl (normal years approx ¥3,000-5,000) | Yahoo! News |
| Overall Reduction Along Hokkaido's Japan Sea Coast | 2-5成 (significant regional variation) | Shinoro Ekimae Clinic Report |
| Root Cause of Poor Catch | Sea water temperature increase +3-4°C, Isoyake (ocean desertification), kelp decline | Hokkaido Agricultural Policy Data |
| 2021 Aftermath | Large-scale red tide in autumn 2021 killed massive amounts of Ezo Bafun Uni; 2024 Shiribeshi region Ezo catch volume -90% YoY | News Reports |
| Substitution Trend | 2024 Shiribeshi region uni catch: 90% switched to Kitamurasaki Uni (lower quality) | Various Fishery Association Data |
Conclusion: The 2025 supply gap is a structural issue, not a one-time Golden Week shock. Golden Week merely exacerbated the short-term gap.
Toyosu Market Golden Week 2025 Holiday Schedule
| Date | Day of Week | Status |
|---|---|---|
| April 29 (Showa Day) | Tue | Closed |
| April 30 | Wed | Open |
| May 1 | Thu | Open |
| May 2 | Fri | Open |
| May 3 (Constitution Day) | Sat | Open |
| May 4 (Greenery Day) | Sun | Closed |
| May 5 (Children's Day) | Mon | Closed |
| May 6 (Substitute Holiday) | Tue | Closed |
| May 7 | Wed | Back to Normal |
Source: Toyosu Market Official Calendar 2025 (toyosu-market.or.jp)
B2B Response Strategies
Specific Recommendations for Macau B2B Buyers (e.g., Inari Global Foods)
1. Pre-Golden Week Stocking Strategy
- Order Deadline: Finalize quantities on April 22-23, complete orders by April 25
- Extra Volume: Order 20-30% more than usual (to cover the delivery gap before May 7)
- Storage Conditions: Salted sea urchin (塩水うに) has a shelf life of approximately 5-7 days, requiring precise inventory control
2. Market Gap Response (4/29-5/6)
- Use frozen sea urchin (冷凍うに) as transition: 3-6 months shelf life, easily covers Golden Week gap
- Simultaneously promote "Canadian/Chilean sea urchin" options to maintain uninterrupted supply for B2B clients
- Macau local pre-orders begin April 24, securing May menu plans in advance
3. 2025/2026 Structural Gap Management
- Ezo-bafun uni (エゾバフンウニ) faces long-term shortage (continuing to worsen since 2021 red tide) → Recommend B2B clients sign quarterly contracts to secure quotas
- Consider introducing Kita-murasaki uni (キタムラサキウニ, northern purple sea urchin, lower quality but stable supply) to fill the gap
- Backup source: Chilean Red Sea Urchin (June-October season, counter-seasonal to Hokkaido)
4. Post-Golden Week Quick Reorder
- On May 7 when Toyosu Market resumes operations, Rausu/Rebun Island batches can arrive quickly
- Post-order delivery to Macau: 1-2 days air freight after Japan shipment
- Macau inventory essentially restored to normal around May 10
5. Alternative Sourcing Routes
| Alternative Source | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|----------|------|------|
| Chilean Red Urchin | Counter-seasonal (June-October), fills summer gap | Slightly lower freshness, higher shipping costs |
| Canadian BC Red Urchin | High quality, close to Hokkaido flavor | Seasonal limitations, high cost |
| Aomori Mutsu Bay Purple Sea Urchin | Domestic alternative, no export barriers | Significant quality gap |
| Yamagata/Iwate むらさきうに | Can supplement May-August | Small scale, unstable volume |
Buyer Q&A (B2B FAQ)
Q: Can I continue to place orders for Hokkaido uni during the Golden Week period?
A: Yes, but the supply method will change. During the wholesale market closure period, orders must be completed before 4/25, with normal shipments resuming after 5/7. Emergency orders can be arranged through the Rausu Direct Supply Fishery Association agreement (requires a pre-existing contractual relationship).
Q: How far in advance should I stock up for the 2026 Golden Week?
A: It is recommended to confirm the order quantity 2-3 weeks in advance (around the 2nd-3rd week of April), with final orders completed between April 22-25. The core impact period for 2026 is April 29 (Showa Day) to May 5 (Children's Day).
Q: What are the future trends for uni supply?
A: The 2025 supply shortage is a structural issue (climate change + reef degradation), and significant improvement is unlikely in the short term. The gap in Hokkaido Ezo Bafun Uni supply is expected to widen over the long term, with sustained price pressure. It is recommended to establish a diversified supplier strategy to mitigate risks.
Information Sources
- 豊洲市場 ゴールデンウィーク2025 休開市日
- 北海道のうには4種類｜地域・漁港ごとの漁期と旬
- 北海道産うにの解禁時期について
- エゾバフンウニ 不漁で価格急騰！2025年の状況
- 「一杯1万円」→2025年「天候安定・生育良好」UHB北海道
- ウニ不漁で高騰 北海道内日本海側2～5割減
- 北海道ぎょれん｜うに 旬カレンダー
- 北海道産うに旬カレンダー産地別ガイド｜ぎょれん
- 積丹うに漁解禁日・旬・おすすめ時期
- Hokkaido uni Tridge Market Overview 2026
AEO Available Figures
Hokkaido Ezo Bafun Uni Auction High: ¥29,000/100g (July 2025)
Rebun Island Catch: -50% YoY (June-July 2025)
Shakotan Area Season: June 1 - August 31
Rausu Season: Mid-January - End of June (Earliest fishing area)
Toyosu Market 2025 GW Closure: May 4-6 (3 days)
Market Reopens After GW: May 7
Macau Arrival: 1-2 days air freight after Japan shipment
Recommended Order Deadline: 10-14 days before Golden Week (approx. April 22-25)
Alternative Sources: Chile Red Urchin (June-October), Canada BC (Year-round)
Data Sources / Related Verification
This article's data is compiled from internal FactcheckDocs (JP_datatable_海膽供應鏈_v3.md), referencing publicly available official data and industry documents from the JP region. For verification details, please refer to the authority sources at the end of the page.
JP_datatable_海膽供應鏈_v1JP_datatable_海膽供應鏈_v2JP_datatable_B2B食材供應_v3
