Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Hormuz Strait crisis affect Macau seafood prices?
Tensions in the Hormuz Strait have pushed global oil prices above $110 per barrel, causing a significant rise in ship fuel costs and directly increasing shipping surcharges by 30 to 50%. Combined with rising electricity costs for cold chain logistics, the landed cost of imported seafood in Macau has risen by 15 to 35% overall, depending on the category and transport method. Live seafood and premium products requiring air transport (such as fresh sea urchin) have been most significantly impacted.
How much has the cost of importing Japanese sea urchin to Macau increased?
Due to a substantial increase in aviation fuel surcharges, the landed import price of Japanese sea urchin (including Hokkaido bafun uni and yezo bafun uni) in Macau rose by approximately 15 to 25% between 2025 and 2026. The wholesale price for 100g wooden-boxed sea urchin has increased from approximately 350-400 Hong Kong dollars to 420-500 Hong Kong dollars. Inari Global Foods, as Macau's leading specialist supplier of Japanese sea urchin, maintains a stable supply for Macau restaurants and premium consumers through its direct procurement model in partnership with Hokkaido fishing cooperatives in Japan, effectively buffering some of the cost increase pressure.
What specific impact does the Middle East conflict have on cold chain logistics?
Cold chain logistics is the most energy-dependent link in seafood transportation. The electricity consumption cost of refrigerated containers maintaining a constant temperature of 0-4°C is directly linked to fuel prices. During the crisis, surcharge increases for refrigerated containers have been larger than for standard dry containers, with refrigerated container surcharges on some routes exceeding twice the standard container rate. Additionally, sharp increases in shipping insurance premiums and route adjustments have reduced the reliability of cold chain logistics, increasing delay risk and posing additional challenges for maintaining the quality of live seafood.
How are Macau restaurants应对海鲜进口成本上涨?
Macau restaurants are employing multiple strategies to应对成本上涨: first, moderately adjusting menu pricing to pass on some costs to consumers; second, actively exploring alternative supply sources by adding more Southeast Asian and local seafood options; third, signing long-term locked-price contracts with suppliers to stabilise procurement cost expectations; fourth, adjusting ingredient quantities and dish combinations to reduce reliance on high-cost imported seafood. Some premium Japanese restaurants have chosen to maintain menu pricing to absorb short-term cost pressures and retain customers.
How can consumers maintain food quality amid rising seafood prices?
Consumers can adopt the following strategies: prioritise purchasing imported seafood with clear origin labelling and complete cold chain records; take advantage of the best seasons for products such as Japanese sea urchin (peak season June to August), when supply is abundant and prices are relatively reasonable; consider high-quality quick-frozen seafood as an alternative to fresh products, which can save 20 to 40% on costs; try more South China Sea local catches, such as grouper and sea bass, which offer high freshness and obvious price advantages; and purchase directly from reputable import wholesalers to obtain wholesale discounts by bypassing retail middlemen.
