Why source from Japan
Hokkaido Nemuro and Iwate Ofunato anchor the Japanese sanma cuisine and processing supply chain; iconic autumn-cuisine ingredient.
Key spec
DHA 1,500-2,200 mg/100g; EPA 1,200-1,800 mg/100g; protein 19-22%; lipid 10-25% (autumn peak).
Typical end-product
Fresh-frozen retail export, canned sanma kabayaki retail, omega-3 functional supplements.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 100 kg fresh-frozen; 10–50 kg processed
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks (in season)
- Regions of origin
- Hokkaido (Nemuro), Iwate (Ofunato), Miyagi (Onagawa)
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- August – November (peak September – October)
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; mercury monitoring; phytosanitary
- Japanese name
- 秋刀魚
- Romaji
- 秋刀魚
About this ingredient
Pacific saury (Cololabis saira) — Japan's autumn-cuisine icon. Hokkaido (Nemuro), Iwate (Ofunato), and Miyagi (Onagawa) are the principal commercial harvest ports. Catches have declined dramatically since 2015 due to changing sea temperatures; supply has shifted toward Taiwan / Russia imports. Used grilled (shio-yaki sanma is autumn-classic), in canned form for export retail, and as a feedstock for fish-oil DHA / EPA extraction. Distinct from existing seafood entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; mercury monitoring; phytosanitary |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; fish-allergen labelling |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice; fish-allergen labelling |
| China | GACC food facility registration |
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
Sanma (Pacific Saury) 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 2 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 2 categories
Fucoidan
フコイダン
INCI Fucoidan (from various brown seaweeds); MOQ from 1–10 kg.
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Sanma (Pacific Saury) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Akamoku (Gulfweed Seaweed)
アカモク
Fucoxanthin 0.05-0.3% dry weight; soluble dietary fibre 30-40%; alginate 15-25%.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Nigari (Bittern / Magnesium Chloride)
にがり
Magnesium chloride 60–95% (varies by source); pH 6.5–7.5; coagulation rate ideal 0.4–0.7% in soy milk for tofu.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Kanten (Agar)
寒天
Gel strength 600–1,000 g/cm² (varies by grade); galactose-rich polysaccharide; ash content <5% for premium grades.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Disclaimer
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Last updated: 2026-05-05