Development Status and Trends in the Eel Farming Industry in Asia

Abstract Global eel production has dramatically increased over the last 30 years because of the expansion of eel farming. In 2018, 47 countries were engaged in eel production, with a total output of 277,103 metric tons and a total value of US$2.67 × 109 for eel imports and exports. To better understand the development status of the eel industry, especially in China, and to protect glass eel resources and promote the healthy development of the industry, we summarize the current development status of eel culture in terms of eel production, natural recruitment, imports, and exports. Japanese and Chinese production, imports, and exports are the main focus of this study. The eel production industry is characterized by high investment, high risk, and high returns. Since the mid-1990s, China has been the world’s leading country for eel culture in terms of yield, accounting for over 80% of global yield. The profit margin is over 60% for eel farming in China. Japan has a long history of eel culture, and it is the dominant consumer market for eels, with 50% of the world’s consumption. Countermeasures and suggestions are proposed to promote the development of the eel industry due to severe problems, such as declines in wild glass eel recruitment since 2018, an increasing demand for eels, the excessive dependence on exports to the Japanese market, and the effects of environmental protection policies on the eel industry in China. These measures include protecting eel germplasm resources and developing other cultured varieties as well as developing international emerging markets and cultivating domestic markets to strengthen the eel brand. Furthermore, trade associations should be developed in order to provide information for farmers and strengthen interactions with the government.