Dalian JV to ride the tuna wave, builds 1,200 tpa processing plant
“The grade of freshness is the lifeblood of this business.”
Tuna’s quality and prices vary as per their type, catch location, size and other aspects, he said.
Generally, bigger fish and those caught in cooler waters are relatively rich in fat, thus have better taste. Tuna’s quality is traceable from catch to consumer, he said.
DGFC’s annual sales volume has reached 230 million yuan ($33.3 million). More than 70 percent of its products are exported to Japan, South Korea, the United States and countries in Southeast Asia.
In the domestic market, wholesalers, supermarkets and restaurants in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Dalian buy DGFC’s tuna.
Wang said there were only three tuna processing plants in China when DGFC started operations in 2004. Now their number has risen to over 10, with all of them growing well in recent years.
Yuichi Morishita, CEO of Japan’s Kyotaru Co Ltd, owner of a sushi brand, said with more Chinese residents becoming rich, they are paying more attention to food quality.
Kyotaru is cooperating with Zoneco Group Co Ltd, a Chinese fisheries company, to set up sushi shops in China. DGFC will supply tuna to them.
Morishita said shops that sell quality food will win the hearts of consumer groups with high purchasing power.