It is truly amazing that a mountain farmer’s simple private pastime of trying to produce beautiful colours to the humble black Carp previously suitable only for food purposes, has spread to just about every corner of the globe. Today it appears that enthusiasts the world over are fascinated with the beauty of Nishikigoi.
There are now enthusiasts and dealers from countries such as USA, Canada, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa, Cyprus, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Israel and the list continues to grow. Australia now has many Koi enthusiasts today despite their early days of a ‘secret society’ when the importation into Australia was banned for fear of these escaping into the eco-system and reproducing in their ideal climate.
As far as Nishikigoi production is concerned in other areas of the world, there are several countries producing on a commercial basis. Today, Israeli-bred stocks are shipped to many parts of the world are Chinese stocks, Taiwanese stocks, Korean stocks, Thai stocks and some American stocks. In comparison with those produced in Japan the stocks produced by other countries are considerably inferior in quality, shape and colour, but find huge markets where price is the key factor which unfortunately has be governed, especially in recent years, by the continuing strength of the Japanese Yen against the continuing decline in strength of most other major currencies. This factor gives other Koi producing countries a very strong price advantage over the helpless Japanese breeders. However, many ardent enthusiasts, who now collect Japanese-bred Nishikigoi, started out in the hobby with Koi bred elsewhere and many more will gain valuable experience with these cheaper Koi in the coming years. Although stocks from other countries appear to be improving, stocks in Japan seem to be improving in equal or greater rates as the years go by.
There is no doubt about it, Nishikigoi have brought keepers from all parts of the globe together to share this common interest. Today it is not uncommon for enthusiasts to travel to far-off lands to attend a Koi event and spend a few extra days ‘talking Koi’ to old and new friends alike, Nishikigoi have become truly international in this respect.
