Saturday, March 29, 2025
Japan Tuna Auction Shocks World: 243kg Bluefin Sells for ₹29 Crore – What Makes This Fish So Special?
World’s Most Expensive Fish
In a jaw-dropping auction at Tokyo’s main fish market, a massive bluefin tuna fetched 3.2 million dollars—around ₹29 crore in Indian rupees. Bought by sushi restaurant chain owner Kiyoshi Kimura, who calls himself the “Tuna King,” this 243kg (536-pound) specimen from Japan’s northern coast shattered records in the annual New Year’s Day sale.
Auction Highlights
The fish was sold at Tokyo’s Tsukiji market successor, Toyosu, setting a new high since records began in 1999. AFP reports note that such auctions boost excitement around the recovery of Pacific bluefin tuna stocks.
Kimura remarked post-auction: “I thought we could buy it a bit cheaper, but the price kept rising before I knew it… I was surprised by the price… I hope eating this lucky tuna will make as many people as possible feel energetic.”
Previous Records
This ₹29 crore sale tops all previous bids:
In 2019, a 278kg bluefin went for about ₹19 crore.
Last year, a top bidder paid ₹12 crore for a 276kg bluefin.
Why Is Bluefin Tuna So Expensive?
Bluefin tuna is prized for sushi and sashimi due to its exquisite taste and tender flesh. It’s rare, fast-swimming over long distances, and considered “lucky” in Japan’s first New Year’s auction—driving bids into the millions. Overfishing has made high-quality specimens even more scarce, amplifying its luxury status.
