Frozen Yellowfin / Bigeye Tuna (mid-grade sashimi)

Kihada / Mebachi maguro · Japan (distant-water & coastal catch)
Meat & Seafood Tuna Frozen Established export

Yellowfin (kihada) and bigeye (mebachi) loins for mid-range sushi and maguro steaks — higher-volume, lower-price than bluefin. A staple of overseas sushi foodservice supplied frozen at sashimi grade.

The supplierJapanese tuna majors and distant-water longline fleet (kihada/mebachi). Established ultra-low-temp processing and global logistics; mid-grade sashimi volume for mainstream sushi trade.
Why it sells abroadReliable mid-grade sashimi at scale with ultra-low-temp consistency — the everyday-sushi volume tuna vs scarce bluefin.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsWCPFC/IOTC catch documentation applies to these species (confirmed regulatory regime). HACCP / FSSC 22000 / EU-approved establishment / MSC for select fisheries: typical at majors but not publicly verified per-plant for this generic listing.
Pack formatsLoins and saku blocks vac-pac; blocks boxed ~5-15kg/carton, ultra-low-temp.
Shelf lifeUltra-low-temp frozen: ~12-24 months at -50 to -60°C (typical).
StorageUltra-low-temp frozen -50 to -60°C.
Minimum orderTypical: by carton to FCL; ultra-low-temp reefer.
Lead timeTypical: 2-4 weeks incl. health certificate + catch docs.
CapacityTypical: high — large distant-water fleet output.
Container loadTypical: ultra-low-temp (-60°C) reefer 20ft/40ft.
PricingEstimate: mid-grade — Typical $8-25/kg FOB by species/grade.
OEM / private labelPrivate-label/portioning (saku/cubes) available.
Wholesale & MOQFrozen loins/saku, reefer container or air; foodservice volume.
Key exporters & distributorsMaruha Nichiro, Nissui, Kyokuyo
Export regulationSame as bluefin minus the tightest quota intensity, but still WCPFC/ICCAT managed; mercury and histamine limits; EU TRACES establishment + health certificate.
Market demandMainstream sushi/poke HORECA + retail in US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, EU.
How to source itJapanese tuna majors / distant-water operators (Maruha Nichiro, Nissui affiliates); JETRO; Seafood Expo, FOODEX JAPAN.
Verified sourceshttps://www.maruha-nichiro.com/; https://www.nissui.co.jp/english/
MakerJapanese tuna majors / distant-water fleet
OriginJapan (distant-water & coastal catch)
CategoryMeat & Seafood / Tuna
Available inUS, HK, SG +2 more
HandlingFrozen
Price tierPremium
ChannelFoodservice
Export readinessEstablished export
HS code0303 / 0304
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.