Genki Sushi Invests in Japan's First Onshore Salmon Farm

The Japanese food company Genki Sushi is betting on a new way to source its salmon roe. It has invested in a pioneering project to farm Atlantic salmon entirely on land. This venture aims to produce a stable, domestic supply of the popular sushi ingredient. The new onshore farm is under construction in Yufu, Oita Prefecture. It is a joint project with the local government and a venture company. The facility will use advanced technology to raise salmon from egg to adult in controlled tanks, completely separate from the ocean. This method addresses several industry challenges. Onshore farming prevents pollution and eliminates the risk of fish escaping into local ecosystems. It also protects the salmon from ocean-related problems like rising sea temperatures and parasites. The first harvest of salmon roe is expected by the summer of 2025. If successful, this project will make Japan the first country in the world to commercially produce Atlantic salmon roe entirely on land. This move could reduce reliance on imports and secure a more sustainable future for the sushi supply chain.