Yamaya Mentaiko (Spicy Pollock Roe) — Hakata export

Yamaya (やまや) · Fukuoka/Hakata processing — pollock roe sourced from Russia/North Pacific, cured in Japan; US line made in Los Angeles
Meat & Seafood Roe Frozen Growing export

Japan's largest mentaiko maker (~4,000 MT/year) producing seasoned spicy pollock roe in Hakata, the heart of mentaiko culture. Exports ~100 MT/year to the US, with additional local production in Los Angeles and sales into Mexico.

The supplierFukuoka mentaiko leader; ~4,000 MT/year output; imports container loads of pollock roe (Russia) to Fukuoka, ships portion to LA plant for North America; exports ~100 MT/year to US.
Why it sells abroadScale leader with dual Japan+US production for supply resilience; whole-roe and Western-friendly paste formats

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsConfirmed: Yamaya Communications (Fukuoka) is the largest mentaiko maker in Japan (~4,000 t/yr; ~100 t/yr US export); roe sourced from Russia/North Pacific and cured in Japan, with a US production plant in California (Los Angeles/Torrance). US seafood-HACCP is mandatory for the US plant (regulatory requirement); specific HACCP/FSSC certificate not independently published.
Pack formatsWhole-roe trays, tube/paste packs (90g-500g), foodservice cartons.
Shelf lifeFrozen ~12 months; chilled/thawed short (typical).
StorageFrozen -18°C or below; chilled 0-4°C after thaw.
Minimum orderTypical: carton/pallet
Lead timeTypical: 2-4 weeks (US stock partly domestic)
CapacityLargest in Japan (~4,000 MT/yr)
Container loadReefer FCL feasible
PricingTypical: seasoned roe $/kg premium tier
OEM / private labelYes — foodservice/private-label mentaiko & paste.
Wholesale & MOQTypical: seasoned roe carton pricing
Key exporters & distributorsYamaya Communications Co., Ltd.
Export regulationHACCP; FDA seafood-HACCP (US ops); destination roe import certs
Market demandStrong and rising as mentaiko crosses into Western cuisine (pasta/sauces)
How to source itYamaya Fukuoka / US (CA) plant → US distributor → retail & foodservice.
Verified sourceshttps://www.seafoodsource.com/news/business-finance/yamaya-communications-has-grown-from-home-kitchen-to-business-conglomerate
MakerYamaya Communications Co., Ltd. (Fukuoka)
OriginFukuoka/Hakata processing — pollock roe sourced from Russia/North Pacific, cured in Japan; US line made in Los Angeles
CategoryMeat & Seafood / Roe
Available inWorldwide
HandlingFrozen
Price tierPremium
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessGrowing export
HS code0305.20 (processed fish roe)
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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.