Squid

いか

Japanese per-capita consumption is among the highest in the world. Surume-ika production centers on Hokkaido, Aomori, and Nagasaki, with recent catches in decline. Essential to sashimi, sushi, shiokara, and dried surume

Taste & Texture

Surume-ika has firm texture and oceanic aroma; yari-ika is tender and sweet; aori-ika offers premium sweetness and texture. Versatile — sashimi, grilled, simmered, fried

Season

MONTHLY AVAILABILITY

Jun - Sep

PEAK

※ Season is based on domestic field-grown availability

How to Choose

  • Brown to purple-brown skin with gloss; firm, pointed mantle tip; clear dark eyes.

  • Becomes whitish with age.

How to Store

  • Remove viscera and gladius, rinse, pat dry, wrap, refrigerate 1-2 days.

  • Freeze up to 1 month.

Shelf life 1-2 days refrigerated; about 1 month frozen

Nutrition Facts

Monthly Supply Volume

Supply Peak

Peak Month 9 11,358t
Annual Inflow 97,798 t
Inflow (t)
In season

Source: MAFF Seafood Distribution Survey (monthly cold-storage inflow) (2024). Monthly cold-storage inflow — used as a supply-signal proxy when national monthly wholesale prices are not published.

Retail Price

Price Trend

Cheapest Sep ¥200/100g
Most Expensive Apr ¥267/100g

Annual Average

¥231/100g

Source: Statistics Bureau Retail Price Survey (2026)

Top Landing Prefectures

Aomori18.9%
Hokkaido13.0%
Nagasaki9.3%
Miyagi8.5%
Hyogo7.7%
Others42.6%
10%+
5%+
2%+
0.1%+
None

Map data: National Land Numerical Information (MLIT Japan)

#
Prefecture
Production (t)
Share
1
9,234
18.9%
2
6,330
13.0%
3
4,520
9.3%
4
4,133
8.5%
5
3,763
7.7%

Source: MAFF Marine Fisheries Production Statistics (wild catch) (2023)

Top 5 Prefecture Production Trends (2018-2023)

Aomori
Hokkaido
Nagasaki
Miyagi
Hyogo

Consumption Ranking

National Average (annual spending per household)

¥1,581 /year
#
City
Annual Spending
1
Toyama Toyama
¥3,967
2
Aomori Aomori
¥2,537
3
Niigata Niigata
¥2,219
4
Tottori Tottori
¥2,216
5
Akita Akita
¥2,202

Source: Statistics Bureau Family Income and Expenditure Survey (2024, two-or-more-person households, prefectural capital cities)