I’m currently in Hokkaido, and while I’ve visited many times, this northern island never ceases to amaze me with its wild natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes. Hokkaido has always been one of my favourite parts of Japan.
I always thought that Hokkaido’s biggest food products were milk, dairy products, confectionery, and cheese cakes, not to mention crab. But this week, when I visited Coop Sapporo, I was blown away by the size of the octopus on display—specifically, the North Pacific Giant Octopus from the sea of Okhotsk.
Hokkaido’s Mollusc Marvels
Contrary to my previous perception, Hokkaido’s biggest food exports are actually molluscs, including scallops and octopus. In 2023, Hokkaido exported a staggering $2.14 billion worth of molluscs. The display at Coop Sapporo was impressive, showcasing a wide variety of these ocean treasures.
Konnyaku: The Hidden Gem
The konnyaku section at Coop Sapporo was equally fascinating. Divided into flour paste products and noodles made from konjac, there were over 100 SKUs! The range included twisted thread konnyaku, fresh konnyaku, one-bite konnyaku, organic konnyaku, seasoned Tamaki konnyaku, miso konnyaku, and sashimi konnyaku.
Konnyaku, made from the konjac plant, is renowned for being low in calories and high in fibre. It’s a versatile ingredient used in dishes like oden, sukiyaki, shirataki noodles, chilled salads, and especially nabe, which is very popular in Hokkaido due to its cold climate.
A Rich History
Konjac was introduced to Japan in the 6th century and has been used in Chinese cuisine for over 2000 years. The market for konjac in Japan is steadily growing, driven by increasing consumer health consciousness.
Coop Sapporo’s Commitment to Sustainability
Coop Sapporo is one of the largest consumer cooperatives in Japan, renowned for its groceries, fair trade practices, sustainability efforts, and support for local farmers. The Coop I visited had an entire section dedicated to organic produce too.
Are Coops an important sales channel in Japan? I believe Coops are often missed by importers. For most FMCG brands in Japan Coops account for around 5% of retail sales, so whilst Coops are not as big as supermarkets or CVS, they aren’t small. One of the biggest Coops in Japan is Coop Kobe which has a very strong home delivery business. They also source and sell a lot of European imports themselves.
Octopus and Konnyaku: A Unique Connection
Interestingly, while the connection between octopus and konnyaku might not be obvious, it does exist in dishes like takoyaki and choboyaki. South Korea, which has the highest consumption of octopus, features these dishes prominently in its cuisine.