Fish Farm Mirai LLC, a Japanese joint venture specializing in land-based salmon farming, plans to expand its rainbow trout production capacity to 3,000 metric tons by 2027, backed by investments amounting to several billion yen, Nikkei reports.

The company, founded in 2021 through a partnership of four firms, including seafood giant Nichimo Co. and Kyushu Electric Power Co., currently has a production capacity of 300t at a facility located within Kyushu Electric's Buzen Plant.

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Fish Farm Mirai operates eight tanks, each 10 meters wide and 3.6 meters deep, in a 2,000-square-meter tent structure. The system features cameras and sensors for automated monitoring and operations.

After launching experimental operations in 2019, Kyushu Electric transitioned to full-scale farming in March 2023 and began selling under the "Mirai Salmon" brand in October. Currently operating at 50% capacity, the company aims to increase production to 300t by 2025.

Evolving customer preferences drive the expansion. While production costs remain 50% higher than imported trout, market acceptance is steadily growing. Trial exports to South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand have received positive feedback, with the salmon's vibrant red flesh appealing to Asian consumer tastes.

Construction on the expanded facilities for the second phase, which will produce 3,000t, will begin in 2026, with shipments expected by 2028. Once operational, the expansion is projected to generate annual sales of approximately JPY 4bn.