Japan Delica Co., an importer and processor of seafood, is set to launch a new business in Bangladesh this October to process Japanese scallops for export to Europe, the United States, and other international markets, according to a report by The Japan News. 

The company, based in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, and a subsidiary of Japan Food Service Co., has acquired a seafood processing plant in Cox’s Bazar, located in southeastern Bangladesh.

The new plant, which will begin operations with 500 employees, is expected to process up to 1,000 tonnes of scallops per month. Of this, approximately 200 tonnes of scallop meat will be exported to key markets including Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.

This move is particularly significant in the context of recent trade developments, as Japan seeks to diversify its export markets in response to China’s ban on Japanese marine products. The ban was implemented following the release of treated water from the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant.

To mitigate the impact of this ban, the Japanese government has been actively supporting the establishment of new processing plants for Japanese scallops in other countries, including Vietnam and Mexico.

Japan Delica’s decision to expand into Bangladesh represents the first instance of a company exporting Japanese scallops, including those sourced from Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture, for local processing in Bangladesh.