市场情报 PEARL REPORT | 39 | 2022-2023 Loose pearls from Kakuda Pearl Co Ltd 觉田真珠株式会社的散珠 Some European and American customers have also started placing orders online, revealed Kakuda. Moving forward, this digital component of the business is expected to complement and enhance traditional in-person transactions. Business is heavily fuelled by demand from China while other pearl markets like Japan, the US, Europe and the rest of Asia are still recovering from economic and pandemic- related uncertainties. Highly sought after are Japanese Akoya pearls, followed by South Sea and Tahitian pearls, with the Akoya variant further expanding its market share. With soaring demand and tightening supply, prices of Japanese Akoya pearls have gone up by 40 per cent in 2021 based on auction results. Kakuda said environmental changes alongside other market difficulties are impacting production volume of Akoya, South Sea and Tahitian pearls, pushing unit prices up. “Demand remains sturdy amid high prices, especially for Akoya pearls,” he added. Akoya pearls, beloved for their refined lustre and more competitive prices, are headlining iconic collections of major jewellers like Mikimoto and Tasaki, which further enhance the white pearl’s market appeal. New directions The JPEA official, who worked for Mikimoto before joining the family business in 1997, has extensive pearl farming and manufacturing experience. His company has been around for nine decades. According to Kakuda, this business acumen will be most useful in setting new directions under his JPEA leadership, with the support of directors who are also eager to implement new initiatives in the association. Education is foremost in their agenda, with emphasis on the overseas market. Kakuda wants to promote and strengthen pearl farm tourism where visitors can witness first-hand how Japanese pearl farms operate. Japan’s pearl farms are located in areas where communities reside, showcasing biodiversity at its best. He is also aiming to showcase Japanese craftsmanship by hosting tours in manufacturing facilities to further build consumer confidence in Japanese pearls. Kakuda said, “We want to make a difference by adding new value to pearls – they are not just beautiful; they are organic and sustainable.”
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