Eel Exports to Japan Decline, Fisheries Agency Develops Various New Dishes to Expand Domestic Sales
Taiwan's eel exports to Japan have significantly declined in recent years. To expand the domestic market, the Fisheries Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture has completed 48 new eel recipes, introducing various ways to eat eel beyond just grilled eel (Kabayaki).
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 18:45
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Taipei, May 2 (CNA) — Taiwan's eel aquaculture once flourished, primarily exporting to Japan. In recent years, export volumes have dropped significantly. The Fisheries Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture is assisting in expanding the domestic market and has recently completed 48 eel recipes, introducing various ways to eat eel beyond just grilled eel (Kabayaki).
The Fisheries Agency today held the 'Taiwan Eel is Good' and 'Summer Awakening, Vitality Eel Snacks' promotion event at the Taipei Hope Plaza Farmers Market. Fisheries Agency Director-General Wang Maocheng cooked eel with a celebrity chef on site and announced that on May 9, at the same location, 1,000 servings of eel pizza would be offered for tasting; participants who check-in and like posts can enjoy it, and various high-quality eel products will also be on display and for sale.
According to statistics and analysis from the Fisheries Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, Taiwan's once flourishing eel aquaculture industry produced over 50,000 metric tons in the early 1990s. Over 95% was exported to Japan, holding more than 50% of the Japanese market share, bringing substantial foreign exchange to Taiwan. Due to the rise of China's eel aquaculture industry, with its industrialized and large-scale production, it currently holds 64% of the Japanese market share. Taiwan's annual eel production in recent years is less than 10,000 metric tons, and its Japanese market share has dropped to only 2% to 3%.
The area dedicated to eel aquaculture in Taiwan has also decreased year by year; at its peak, it exceeded 3,000 hectares, but the Fisheries Agency statistics show it is currently less than 200 hectares.
Wang Maocheng said that since eel exports to Japan have significantly decreased, in addition to assisting businesses in shifting to European, American, and Middle Eastern markets, they are also actively expanding the Taiwanese market.
Wang Maocheng said that when people think of eel dishes, many only think of grilled eel, but there are actually many other ways to eat it. The Fisheries Agency continues to promote digital seafood education and has now provided 48 eel recipes for public download on the 'Buy Fish Go' platform. People can cook at home or find high-quality restaurants across Taiwan using the 'Eel Map' provided on the platform.
The press conference showcased various dishes such as eel avocado burgers, eel potato frittatas, and eel egg floss rice balls. (Edited by Lee Shu-hua) 1150502
The Fisheries Agency today held the 'Taiwan Eel is Good' and 'Summer Awakening, Vitality Eel Snacks' promotion event at the Taipei Hope Plaza Farmers Market. Fisheries Agency Director-General Wang Maocheng cooked eel with a celebrity chef on site and announced that on May 9, at the same location, 1,000 servings of eel pizza would be offered for tasting; participants who check-in and like posts can enjoy it, and various high-quality eel products will also be on display and for sale.
According to statistics and analysis from the Fisheries Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, Taiwan's once flourishing eel aquaculture industry produced over 50,000 metric tons in the early 1990s. Over 95% was exported to Japan, holding more than 50% of the Japanese market share, bringing substantial foreign exchange to Taiwan. Due to the rise of China's eel aquaculture industry, with its industrialized and large-scale production, it currently holds 64% of the Japanese market share. Taiwan's annual eel production in recent years is less than 10,000 metric tons, and its Japanese market share has dropped to only 2% to 3%.
The area dedicated to eel aquaculture in Taiwan has also decreased year by year; at its peak, it exceeded 3,000 hectares, but the Fisheries Agency statistics show it is currently less than 200 hectares.
Wang Maocheng said that since eel exports to Japan have significantly decreased, in addition to assisting businesses in shifting to European, American, and Middle Eastern markets, they are also actively expanding the Taiwanese market.
Wang Maocheng said that when people think of eel dishes, many only think of grilled eel, but there are actually many other ways to eat it. The Fisheries Agency continues to promote digital seafood education and has now provided 48 eel recipes for public download on the 'Buy Fish Go' platform. People can cook at home or find high-quality restaurants across Taiwan using the 'Eel Map' provided on the platform.
The press conference showcased various dishes such as eel avocado burgers, eel potato frittatas, and eel egg floss rice balls. (Edited by Lee Shu-hua) 1150502