Changes in Salmon Logistics Amid Middle East Tensions — Delays and Rising Costs

Salmon has been one of Maruwazu’s core products for over a decade and is an important commodity used in a wide range of settings, including retail and food service. Demand remains high in the domestic market, and maintaining a stable supply requires not only close attention to production conditions but also to changes in global logistics and international affairs.

Currently, one of the key issues drawing attention in the seafood industry is the situation in the Middle East, particularly involving the United States and Iran. The region serves as a major hub for air transportation, and developments there can influence global logistics as a whole. For shipments from Norway—one of the primary salmon-producing countries—to Japan, routes using Middle Eastern airports as transit hubs had become the norm in the wake of the Russia–Ukraine situation. However, recent geopolitical developments are now beginning to alter these routes.

On the ground, tangible impacts are already being observed, with delays being one of the most significant issues. Since the quality of fresh salmon is directly tied to transportation time, even slight delays can affect freshness. While flight delays themselves may only be around one day, when combined with market holidays, they can effectively result in a two-day delay. Such disruptions pose a considerable risk to maintaining product quality. Although the risks are relatively manageable during the winter months, they are expected to increase during the summer when higher temperatures accelerate ice melt and heighten the risk of quality deterioration. In addition, rising aviation fuel prices and increased fuel costs for truck transportation are driving up overall logistics expenses. These higher costs are also affecting procurement prices, ultimately leading to higher retail prices for salmon.

Under these circumstances, a flexible approach is essential to maintain supply. While Norwegian salmon has been the primary focus, it will be increasingly important to broaden sourcing options to include products from Canada, Chile, and domestic producers. Moving forward, it will be necessary to respond flexibly to changing conditions, optimize procurement strategies, and explore new possibilities.

Through writing this article, I have once again recognized the significant impact of the Middle East situation and strongly realized the importance of maintaining a flexible approach in responding to changing circumstances.