Why source from Japan
Oma bluefin-tuna auctions reach $3M+ per fish; Tsukiji-Toyosu market sets global tuna pricing; Maruha Nichiro / Kindai University aquaculture provides sustainable export.
Key spec
Otoro fat content 15-30%; chutoro 5-15%; akami <5%; DHA / EPA elevated; mercury monitoring required.
Typical end-product
Sushi / sashimi premium retail, fine-dining export, gift-economy boxes.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 10–100 kg whole or cuts; 1–10 kg sashimi-grade
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks (allocation-controlled by quotas)
- Regions of origin
- Aomori (Oma), Wakayama (Iyo Bay), Mie, Aquaculture: nationwide
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- Year-round (peak November – February for wild)
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; ICCAT / WCPFC quota; mercury monitoring; phytosanitary for fresh
- Japanese name
- 本鮪 / 本マグロ
- Romaji
- 本鮪 / 本マグロ
About this ingredient
Pacific bluefin tuna — the most-prized sushi / sashimi tuna in Japanese cuisine. Wild-harvest dominated Japanese supply until aquaculture (notably Maruha Nichiro and Kindai University Tuna) began commercial-scale production around 2010. Aomori (Oma), Iyo Bay (Wakayama), and Mie host the principal commercial harvest. The Tsukiji-Toyosu auction system anchors global tuna pricing. Distinct from less-prized yellowfin (kihada) and bigeye (mebachi) tuna varieties.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; ICCAT / WCPFC quota; mercury monitoring; phytosanitary for fresh |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; CITES not applicable (fishery product); fish-allergen labelling |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice; fish-allergen labelling per FALCPA |
| China | GACC; ICCAT-quota documentation; mercury compliance |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Bluefin Tuna (Honmaguro) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Maruha Nichiro Corporation
マルハニチロ株式会社
Koto, TokyoEst. 1880English supportExport experienceFSSC 22000ISO 22000Maruha Nichiro / Kindai University aquaculture bluefin tuna
Ihara Fisheries Co., Ltd.
井原水産株式会社
Hokkaido
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Last updated: 2026-05-05