issue 2/2009 highlights - nda.agric.za globeﬁ sh highlights july 2009 shrimp wholesale prices...

HIGHLIGHTSA quarterly update based on the GLOBEFISH databank

Shrimp markets very slowThe economic crisis continues to influence the world shrimp market. Generally, because of their relatively high price, sales of shrimp products suffer

because of loss of purchasing power.shrimp prices are low at the moment. p. 1

Prices moving upStarting in mid May 2009 tuna prices in all major catching areas began to rise because of fears that upcoming tuna fishing bans in these areas will

squeeze global supply for the canning industry. p. 7

Economic crisis overshadows groundfish marketPrices of all groundfish species declined sharply in the first half of 2009. The main reason was less buying interest by

institutional clients. In addition, cheap cultured fish create strong competition in the market. p. 12

Economic crisis impacts cephalopod marketThe world squid market is in a very difficult situation. Supply is sharply down in the Southwest Atlantic,

which normally would lead to a substantial price hike, especially after the extremely low prices of the previous two years. p. 15

Prices going up for fishmealTotal fishmeal production in the first quarter of 2009 was 433 000 tonnes, some 25% less than last year. Peruvian production in the first quarter

of the year was extremely low. p. 19

Lower supply of fish oilFish oil production declined in the opening months of 2009, in line with overall fishmeal pro-duction. However, because of higher oil content than last year, the decline was relatively lower.

Fish oil prices usually follow quite closely the change in fuel prices. p. 21

15/07/2009

Tilapia: a good product in the present crisisTilapia is a product with a strong growth rate. China is by far the main producer, but many other Asian countries are also expanding their tilapia outputs. p. 22

Outlook positive for pangasiusDuring the first months of 2009 pangasius was under pressure, as Russia and Egypt banned imports. In addition, negative press coverage in

Italy and Germany scared consumers away from buying of pangasius. p. 24 Disastrous situation for Nile perch

Nile perch resources are under stress and production is going down. The three producing countries report lower exports of fillets to the EU, the main

market for this product. p. 26

The European market for bass and bream is sur-prisingly good at present

Supplies of bream are lower than previously expected and prices are stable. This is unusual for the season because

in most years, when new supplies come to market in June and July prices fall as a result. p. 27

Atlantic SalmonWorld markets for Atlantic salmon are firm with tight supplies and high prices. Lack of Atlantic salmon from Chile

is diverting large quantities of Norwegian salmon to the US market and as a consequence prices have risen also in Europe. p. 31

Mixed fortunes for small pelagics in first quarter The first quarter of the year is neither a main producing nor consuming period for small pelagic fish. Production in the

northern hemisphere only gets into full swing during the second quarter of the year. p. 36

Issue 2/2009

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Fish Products and Industry DivisionViale delle Terme di Caracalla

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www.globefish.org

About GLOBEFISH

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The GLOBEFISH Highlights are based on information available in the databank, supplemented by market information from six regional services which form the FISH INFOnetwork: INFOFISH (Asia and the Pacific), INFOPESCA (Latin America and the Caribbean), INFOPECHE (Africa), INFOSAMAK (Arab countries), EUROFISH (Central and Eastern Europe) and INFOYU (China).

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Bibliographic reference:

GLOBEFISH Highlights

2009

FAO/GLOBEFISH Highlights

(2/2009): p. 38

A quarterly update based on the GLOBEFISH databank

1Globefi sh Highlights July 2009

Shrimp markets very slow

The economic crisis continues to infl uence the world shrimp market. Generally,

because of their relatively high price, sales of shrimp products suffer because of loss of

purchasing power. This means that fewer consumers eat out at restaurants, the main

outlets for shrimp purchases in the major shrimp consuming countries. Prices are low

at the moment, and there is little hope of price increases later this year. Availability is

generally very good from shrimp supplying countries but shrinking demand is creating

a serious problem for the whole sector and particularly to producers, who see their

costs increasing and their income being dramatically reduced.

SHRIMP

Wholesale prices

Shrimp*: Japan

Source: INFOFISH Trade News; GLOBEFISH AN 10226

* Black tiger, headless, shell-on, origin: Indonesia

Shrimp aquaculture production declines for

fi rst time in history

Overall production of farmed shrimp in Thailand

dropped 15% during January-March 2009 compared with

the same period last year. According to the country’s

Shrimp Farmers Association, this year’s production may

come down to 392 000 tonnes compared with 490 000

tonnes harvested last year. The production cut will be

greater for Penaeus vannamei, compared with the black

tiger shrimp. Black tiger shrimp farms in Bangladesh and

India have been seriously damaged by the cyclone Aila

and production there has been virtually wiped out.

Discouraged by the falling prices of shrimp in the

export markets, black tiger shrimp production has been

scaled down in the southern provinces of Viet Nam.

Conversely, there is a surge in the farming of vannamei

shrimp in the southern provinces. This year vannamei

production, introduced just last year, may reach 100 000

tonnes in Viet Nam.

Japanese traders careful

The cherry blossom season in spring initiated outdoor

eating in Japan and shrimp business improved in the

catering trade during April-May. However, as price control

is exercised carefully to avoid consumer backlash, the

catering and retail trade have moved to make cheaper

products available to end consumers. Subsequently,

demand for large sized shrimp did not improve much

during the Golden Week festival compared with the

previous years. The festival demand for extra-large sizes

was disappointing for the catering trade.

Compared with last year, total imports of shrimp

increased during January-March 2009. Total shrimp

imports into Japan reached 56 400 tonnes in this period,

Imports

Shrimp (frozen raw): Japan

.............Jan-Dec............... ................Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Indonesia 43.7 37.1 37.4 8.1 8.3 8.5

Viet Nam 51.1 40.0 42.2 5.3 7.2 6.1

Thailand 20.1 26.4 24.9 4.1 4.4 5.5

India 28.5 27.0 24.0 4.8 5.0 4.7

China 22.8 24.0 16.8 4.8 3.9 2.7

Greenland 6.8 5.4 5.6 1.1 0.9 2.3

Russia 9.5 8.9 7.8 2.3 2.6 2.2

Canada 8.7 7.6 7.7 1.6 1.2 1.6

Myanmar 8.8 8.0 6.8 1.3 1.6 1.6

Malaysia 3.1 4.2 4.5 0.7 0.9 1.1

Bangladesh 4.0 2.6 3.1 0.6 0.8 0.8

Philippines 5.3 4.3 3.5 0.8 0.6 0.7

Argentina 3.4 1.9 2.6 0.3 0.2 0.4

Australia 3.2 1.9 2.3 0.2 0.1 0.1

Others 11.0 8.0 7.4 2.8 2.0 2.0

Total 230.0 207.3 196.6 38.8 39.7 40.3

Source: GLOBEFISH AN 10127

5

7

9

11

13

15

17

Mar-02 Mar-03 Mar-04 Mar-05 Mar-06 Mar-07 Mar-08 Mar-09

US$/kg

31/40

16/20

2 Globefi sh Highlights July 2009

SHRIMP

Wholesale prices

Shrimp*: USA, Japan

Source: INFOFISH Trade News; GLOBEFISH AN 10205, 10206

* Frozen, headless, shell-on, 16-20 count

which compares with 54 800 tonnes last year. The main

product group was frozen raw shrimp with about 40 000

tonnes. The main suppliers of this product are Indonesia,

Viet Nam and Thailand. Viet Nam reported substantial

declines in shipments, while Indonesia and Thailand

managed to increase their frozen shrimp exports to the

Japanese market in the fi rst quarter of 2009.

For home cooking, young consumers prefer semi-

processed and processed shrimp, Western style; they

even prefer cooked shrimp over tempura shrimp. The

older generation still likes the traditional shell-on shrimp

but in easy-to-prepare and ready-to-cook preparations.

Demand for tray-pack shrimp, of all types, has been very

slow in the retail trade.

The H1N1 fl u alarm has created mixed trends in

the market. Because of the health scare, people are

avoiding going out, which is hurting the already weak

restaurant trade. Many schools have cancelled the

outdoor programmes that normally take place in summer.

Overall, shrimp consumption is low in Japan during the

current summer months, a normal feature for this time

of the year.

Low demand for shrimp in the USA continues

The negative economic environment in the USA has

affected consumer habits. One of the most signifi cant

changes is an increase in savings rate, as a reaction to the

uncertainty in the labour market. This implies a reduction

in consumption as consumers are becoming more price-

sensitive. As a reaction to fewer customers, restaurants

are increasingly offering value-oriented items on their

Imports

Shrimp: USA

.................................Jan-March...................................

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

(1000 tonnes)

Thailand 49.1 31.6 34.1 39.7 35.0 35.5

Indonesia 6.6 12.8 17.1 12.5 20.7 20.6

Ecuador 11.5 12.0 15.9 17.2 15.7 16.1

China 25.6 9.9 12.8 17.7 12.9 7.3

Viet Nam 14.2 10.5 8.3 5.9 8.6 6.4

Malaysia 0.3 2.9 4.4 4.6 7.1 2.9

Mexico 4.4 4.9 4.9 6.9 6.5 8.0

India 15.2 8.0 7.3 4.1 2.9 4.6

Bangladesh 1.1 2.0 3.4 3.1 2.8 2.6

Guyana 2.7 2.0 2.4 2.6 2.5 2.4

Venezuela 4.4 3.9 2.6 3.0 2.1 0.9

Peru 0.6 1.0 1.1 1.5 1.7 2.6

Others 13.6 10.8 10.3 7.3 5.3 5.0

Total 149.3 112.4 124.6 126.2 123.8 114.8

Source: NMFS

Imports

Shrimp: USA

Jan-March

2008 2009

tonnes 1000 USD tonnes 1000 USD

Peeled frozen 39 985 286 311 37 285 261 794

Other frozen 19 257 139 498 21 497 160 202

Breaded 10 538 49 613 7 791 42 508

Other preparations 329 1 632 302 1 446

Headless shell-on frozen

All sizes 52 287 373 230 46 517 315 543

< 15 5 708 72 061 4 651 53 035

15/20 3 908 39 571 3 793 34 600

21/25 6 011 52 851 6 311 50 738

26/30 7 964 56 330 7 015 46 307

31/40 8 967 53 734 9 807 58 651

41/50 7 190 38 849 5 698 29 341

51/60 6 476 32 770 4 806 23 352

61/70 3 831 17 767 2 375 10 779

> 70 2 229 9 293 2 059 8 740

Other products 1 402 11 631 1 456 13 694

Total 123 799 861 918 114 848 795 188

Source: NMFS

menus, in order to attract guests. Many restaurants are

offering smaller sized menus, often based on shrimp, in

order to reduce costs and therefore prices.

Low demand for shrimp, in conjunction with high

cold storage holdings, has impacted both prices and

imports. Sales of larger sizes have been dramatically

affected by the change in consumer buying patterns.

Prices of US domestic shrimp are signifi cantly lower than

4

5

6

7

8

Mar-02 Mar-03 Mar-04 Mar-05 Mar-06 Mar-07 Mar-08 Mar-09

USD/lb

Gulf brown, New York

Indian white, Tokyo


SHRIMP

a year ago, and the same trend, although less severe, can

be observed with imported shrimp.

US imports of shrimp in the fi rst quarter of 2009

totalled 115 000 tonnes worth USD 795.2 million. These

fi gures represent a 7% and 8% drop in total imports in

terms of volume and value respectively compared with the

same period in 2008. The main supplier, Thailand, which

accounted for 31% of total imported volume, managed

to gain market share. However, Thai exporters expressed

their concern about the effect that the strengthening baht

could have on shrimp exports. Exports from Indonesia

remained unchanged while purchases from Ecuador and

Mexico increased.

There was little incentive to fi sh for pink shrimp

on the US West coast, as both fi shermen and packers

were disappointed by current wholesale prices. The few

landings were totally taken up by the local fresh seafood

market. In addition, there still are substantial stocks

of frozen shrimp from the 2008 season. As for the Gulf

of Mexico area, the white shrimp season in Louisiana

started on 18 May 2009. Preliminary data showed a higher

percentage of larger sizes.

The EU shrimp market is worsening

During the fi rst quarter of 2009, all major key

markets in Europe continued to see their shrimp imports

decrease further and total import fi gures were down

3% compared with the same period last year to 154 500

tonnes. Demand has decreased on the various European

markets although prices are steady at a fairly low level

and therefore more affordable.

The new economic outlook released by OECD in June

this year shows that the euro area is in a deep recession,

“with external demand collapsing and domestic demand

being weakened by tight fi nancial conditions, rising

unemployment and heightened uncertainty”.

In general, because of their relatively high price,

sales of shrimp products suffer during an economic

crisis because consumers have lower purchasing power

and they tend to be more careful regarding the quality

of the product. Aware of this, advertisers in the retail

sector develop product labels referring to quality and

sustainability: “So organic”, “be good to yourself”,

“reduced fat”, “Omega 3”, “best ever prawns”, etc....

Even with the diffi cult situation on the European

market, during the fi rst quarter of 2009 India noticeably

increased its market share in this region with a 24%

growth rate compared with last year fi gures. With 15 200

tonnes of shrimp exported to Europe during the period

January-March 2009, India is presently the largest shrimp

supplier to EU. However, this leading position may not

last, as EU inspectors have found unauthorized residues

in some products imported from India. Crustaceans of

this origin will now enter the European Union only on

presentation of negative results for nitrofurans and other

unauthorized residues.

Greenland’s export fi gures to Europe were also

relatively good during the period under review with 14 700

tonnes corresponding to a 23% increase compared with

2008. Greenland is the second major shrimp supplier to

Europe and the number one supplier of coldwater shrimp.

Almost all the production goes to Denmark through a

large state-controlled group and then is re-exported to

other countries. In June, the new Greenland government

provided help for the group which is presently facing

severe fi nancial diffi culties.

The situation is diffi cult for most shrimp suppliers.

Ecuador, after years of constant expansion on the

European market, is showing signs of weakness. It is

the third shrimp exporter to Europe with 11 900 tonnes

but lost 11% on last years’ shrimp exports. However, it

remains by far the main supplier to the French and Italian

markets thanks to its low-cost products.

Imports

Shrimp: UK

................Jan-Dec............ ..............Jan-Mar..............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Shell-on Coldwater

Denmark 2.8 2.4 2.2 0.6 0.6 0.6

Others 1.4 1.3 1.9 0.3 0.3 0.2

Total 4.6 4.8 4.1 0.9 0.9 0.8

Shell-on Warmwater

India 11.3 10.5 7.6 2.7 1.6 1.5

Indonesia 5.2 6.3 5.9 1.1 1.6 1.4

Bangladesh 6.2 5.7 4.6 1.0 1.1 1.2

Thailand 1.2 4.1 4.8 0.5 1.1 0.8

Viet Nam * * 2.4 0.1 0.4 0.4

Ecuador 3.3 3.3 2.0 0.7 0.7 0.4

Denmark * 1.0 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.4

Honduras 1.2 1.3 1.7 0.2 0.2 0.3

Others 7.4 5.4 5.4 1.1 1.2 0.8

Total 38.0 38.7 35.5 7.6 8.1 7.2

Cooked & Peeled

Iceland 16.9 15.3 13.4 2.0 1.9 1.8

Denmark 6.6 6.9 6.3 1.4 1.3 1.4

Thailand 3.9 5.2 4.9 0.7 0.6 1.2

Indonesia 3.1 2.6 2.8 0.7 0.5 0.7

Norway 3.5 2.7 3.2 0.3 0.6 0.5

Canada 4.5 3.9 2.6 0.3 0.2 0.3

Others 4.7 4.7 7.4 1.7 1.8 1.2

Total 46.6 44.0 40.6 7.1 6.9 7.1

Gr. Total 89.2 87.5 80.2 15.6 15.9 15.1



SHRIMP

Argentina reported very good landings of Pleoticus

muelleri, but had to sell at discounted prices due to

diminished demand. During the fi rst quarter of 2009

Canada experienced an 11% decrease in exports to the

EU with only 8 700 tonnes. Coldwater shrimp processors

are shutting down in Newfoundland as a consequence of

the decreasing demand and a strong Canadian dollar.

Bangladesh registered a very positive result at the

beginning of 2009 on the UK market, with a 26% increase

of its exports. Unfortunately, the future is very uncertain

for this country after the cyclone Aila destroyed thousands

of shrimp enclosures and ponds on 25 May and also as a

re-sult of the voluntary six-month suspension of exports

following the detection by the EU of harmful veterinary

drug residues in shrimp from Bangladesh.

OECD reports that the fi nancial crisis in the UK is

severely restraining business and household spending.

Latest UK statistics indicate that during the fi rst quarter

of 2009, total shrimp imports decreased by 5% in volume

compared with the same period in 2008, though in

terms of value imports increased by 20% compared with

2008. However, the decrease in import volume did not

affect all products. The average unit value for shrimp

products entering the UK market was GBP 1.00/kg higher

than during the fi rst quarter of 2008. The devaluation

of the British Pound is the main cause and the situation

should change somewhat in the coming months as the UK

currency slowly recovered in the second quarter. While

imports of frozen shrimp products continued to decline

owing to the economic crisis, losing 13% compared with

last year fi gures, volumes of prepared and preserved

shrimp increased notably (+5% compared with 2008). This

is because of increased volumes in processed products

coming from Asia (mainly Thailand and Indonesia). The

proportion of coldwater shrimp imported by the UK market

continued to shrink and now represents only 35% of total

imports in the fi rst quarter of 2009. In contrast, imports

of warmwater shrimp have been stable for the past four

years, including 2009 in spite of present diffi culties.

Total Danish shrimp imports continue to follow the

downward trend of previous years. Imports during the fi rst

quarter of 2009 amounted to 22 800 tonnes corresponding

to a total of DKK 608 million, a 10% decrease in volume

and a 22% decrease in value compared with the same

period of 2008. Denmark imports essentially coldwater

shrimp (95% in the fi rst quarter of 2009). This does not

come as a surprise, as Denmark is mainly a re-exporter

and processor of coldwater shrimp. Greenland, by far the

number one supplier to Denmark, saw its exports to this

country increase by 23% in volume and by 20% in value

compared with the fi rst quarter of 2008. In contrast, during

the fi rst quarter of 2009, due to problemas expereinced

with low shrimp catches, Canada suffered a 41% decrease

in volume and a 49% decrease in value compared with the

same period last year.

Imports

Shrimp: Denmark

..............................Jan-March.......................

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

(1000 tonnes)

Greenland 15.3 18.3 12.1 11.9 14.6

Canada 8.4 7.6 10.1 7.5 4.4

Faroe Islands 0.8 0.8 0.1 0.8 1.0

UK 0.6 0.7 1.0 0.4 0.5

Netherlands 1.2 0.7 1.4 0.5 0.4

Iceland 0.7 0.7 0.6 1.4 0.3

Thailand 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2

Vietnam 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2

India 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2

Norway 1.3 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.2

China 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2

Others 1.8 1.4 2.1 1.2 0.6

Total 30.2 31.7 28.8 25.3 22.8

Source: GLOBEFISH

Spain registered the largest drop ever in shrimp

imports during the fi rst quarter of 2009. With 22 000

tonnes imported at a value of EUR 104 million, Spainish

imports decreased by 15% in volume and 14% in value

compared with the previous year. Chinese and Ecuadorian

shrimp imports, which together represent 35% of total

imports, dropped drastically. On the other hand,

Argentina supplied large quantities of Pleoticus muelleri

(almost double the volume of last year) to the Spanish

market as a consequence of very good landings.

Imports

Shrimp: Spain

......................................Jan-March..............................

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

(1000 tonnes)

China 0.3 4.3 6.9 7.8 6.6 4.7

Ecuador 1.5 1.5 3.3 4.5 4.2 3.0

Argentina 4.1 0.8 1.1 3.8 1.6 2.7

Morocco 1.6 2.0 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.5

Nicaragua 0.4 0.5 1.0 1.0 0.7 1.2

Colombia 0.9 1.2 1.0 1.2 1.1 0.9

Belgium 0.6 0.7 0.6 1.0 0.8 0.8

Netherlands 0.9 1.1 1.0 1.1 0.7 0.7

Cuba 0.2 0.2 0.9 1.1 0.8 0.6

Others 16.7 11.8 12.4 11.3 7.9 5.9

Total 27.3 24.0 29.7 34.3 26.0 22.0



SHRIMP

Shrimp volumes imported by France during the fi rst

quarter of 2009 were 11% lower in volume and 3% lower

in value compared with the same period last year, thus

increasing the unit value. THis was mainly due to a change

in the composition of shrimp suppliers to the French

market. Demand continues to be mainly for frozen whole

tropical shrimp while coldwater imports represent only

about 15% of the market. Almost all top exporting countries

have seen their volumes to France decrease substantially.

Only Asian countries (India, Thailand and Viet Nam) are

gaining market shares on the French market. India, in

particular, registered a constant expansion on the French

market in the past fi ve years and, notwithstanding the

economic crisis, increased its volumes to France, at the

beginning of this year, by more than 40% compared with

last year’s fi gures.

Imports

Shrimp: France

..................................Jan-March....................................

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

(1000 tonnes)

Ecuador 1.4 2.3 2.9 4.7 3.7

India 1.2 1.9 2.0 2.1 3.0

Colombia 0.7 0.7 1.1 1.8 1.5

Netherlands 2.2 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.4

Brazil 5.1 3.2 3.3 1.9 1.3

Madagascar 1.6 1.3 1.3 1.9 1.2

Thailand 0.5 0.5 1.0 0.8 1.1

Vietnam 0.7 0.7 0.9 0.8 0.8

Indonesia 1.2 1.6 0.8 0.9 0.7

Belgium 1.0 1.3 1.1 1.1 0.7

Spain na na 0.5 0.3 0.7

Denmark 0.9 1.0 1.0 0.6 0.7

Venezuela 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.8 0.6

Bangladesh 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.6

Others 3.8 3.5 3.5 3.4 3.0

Total 20.6 19.8 21.4 23.5 21.0

Source: GLOBEFISH

In Italy, total shrimp imports for the fi rst quarter

of 2009 decreased by 10% in volume and by 3% in value

compared with the same period last year. Consequently

the average unit value increased by EUR 0.40/kilo

compared with 2008, making shrimp less affordable in

a market where revenues are badly hit by recession.

OECD indicates that the Italian economy is in a strong

recession, mainly because of external developments

linked to the global fi nancial crisis. Unemployment and

budget defi cit are expected to increase further with

negative consequences for household consumption and

subsequently for more expensive food commodities such

as shrimp.

Germany is the only country in Europe to register

a positive shrimp import fi gure in 2009. The increase

is particularly apparent for frozen whole products of

Asian origin. Shrimp demand in Germany has continued

to expand during the past 10 years. The majority of

imports are in whole frozen form but the proportion of

processed products is signifi cant and growing. Products

of Asian origin dominate the German market and imports

from Thailand, Viet Nam, India and Bangladesh (top four

suppliers) represent 60% of total imports.

Imports

Shrimp: Italy

.............................Jan-March.........................

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

(1000 tonnes)

Ecuador 3.4 3.5 4.5 3.9 3.9

Spain 0.6 0.8 1.2 1.0 1.0

India 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.4 0.9

Denmark 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.3 0.8

Argentina 0.2 0.4 0.7 0.5 0.8

China 0.5 0.4 1.0 0.4 0.7

Netherlands 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.6

Thailand 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.5

UK 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.4

Indonesia 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.4

Malaysia 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.4 0.0

Others 2.9 3.1 2.8 2.5 1.6

Total 12.7 13.4 15.3 12.8 11.6


Imports

Shrimp: Germany

.............Jan-Dec.............. ................Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Thailand 4.0 8.9 9.3 1.3 2.0 2.2

Viet Nam 4.0 5.7 8.1 1.0 1.5 1.9

India 5.3 6.4 5.7 1.8 1.3 1.5

Bangladesh 3.0 3.1 3.5 0.4 0.6 1.3

Netherlands 4.1 5.7 3.9 1.7 1.3 0.7

Denmark 1.5 2.6 2.7 0.3 0.8 0.6

UK 3.1 2.5 1.6 0.8 0.5 0.6

Belgium 2.8 2.6 2.0 0.7 0.7 0.5

Greenland na 2.6 2.3 0.6 0.6 0.5

Indonesia na 2.1 2.0 0.5 0.4 0.3

Others 12.1 11.4 7.3 1.6 1.2 1.4

Total 39.9 48.8 48.4 10.7 10.9 11.5



SHRIMP

SHRIMP NEWS

ASIA: ‘BIG FOUR’ SHRIMP PRODUCERS JOIN FORCES

The world’s four largest shrimp-producing nations are joining

forces to ride out the economic downturn. Trade associations

from Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia and China in mid May 2009

signed a multilateral cooperation agreement to develop and

maintain a healthy farmed shrimp industry in all four countries

by encouraging socially and environmentally responsible

shrimp-farming practices and weeding out harmful ones.

The groups include the Thai Shrimp Association, Viet Nam

Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors, Indonesian

Shrimp Board of Commodity and Chinese Aquatic Products

Processing and Marketing Association. Source: SEAFOODSOURCE

USA: NEW CHITOSAN BASED COATING CAN REPAIR PRODUCT

SCRATCHES AND BLEMISHES WHEN ACTIVATED BY UV LIGHT

A new coating has the power to self-heal, potentially erasing

scratches and blemishes. The coating is made by fusing

microscopic polyurethane rings with a protein derived from

shrimp and crab shells that is sensitive to ultraviolet light.

When the coating gets scratched, the polyurethane rings break

open, creating two reactive ends. Exposure to UV in sunlight

activates the protein, called chitosan, which binds with the

broken rings to repair the scratch. In addition to electronics,

the coating could be applied to cars, clothing, even furniture,

Urban added. There’s a catch, however: The coating can heal

only once at a particular spot. Source: PRODUCTS FINISHING

Outlook bleak

The deterioration in availability of -credit and lower

consumer demand in the USA will continue to slow down

the recovery of the economy. The rest of this year will

probably be hard for the shrimp industry. With substantial

carryover of shrimp inventories from late 2008 imports, it

will take considerable consumption during the summer to

re-balance shrimp supply with demand.

In the coming months, supplies of semi-processed

and processed Penaeus vannamei from Thailand to the

Japanese market are expected to increase compared with

shell-on products. Market demand for 21/25 and smaller

counts of black tiger shrimp will persist into the second

half of the year. Overall, the Japanese market seems

to be the strongest among the main shrimp markets,

helped by a strong yen. However, it will be unable to

counterbalance the negative results in Europe and the

USA.

Shrimp consumption in Europe may increase

somewhat in the coming months, as expected during

the summer season, with tourists infl uencing demand

for seafood. However, fewer visitors are likely to take

vacations in European holiday areas, and demand may be

lower than usual. As a result prices should stay below last

summer’s levels.


Prices moving up

Starting in mid May 2009 tuna prices in all major catching areas began to rise because

of fears that upcoming tuna fi shing bans in these areas will squeeze global supply for

the canning industry. Canned tuna prices have been low in recent months, but are

likely to follow raw material prices up-ward very soon. Sustainability is a major con-

cern for the global tuna industry, which is trying to make its voice heard. Closing of

canneries as a result of globalization and out-sourcing is impacting negatively econo-

mies based on tuna, especially in areas where there are very limited job opportuni-

ties. The future for the tuna industry is rather bleak, with higher costs while demand

is somewhat limited.

TUNA

Imports

Canned tuna: UK

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Seychelles 32.0 23.9 16.7 6.6 3.2 5.0

Ghana 17.0 18.4 22.7 4.3 6.6 4.6

Thailand 16.9 14.9 14.6 4.1 3.3 3.8

Philippines 10.0 13.0 19.2 3.1 4.1 3.3

Mauritius 25.9 27.8 27.2 6.8 5.6 3.2

Ecuador 6.8 7.8 18.9 1.3 2.5 1.0

France 1.7 3.0 4.0 0.7 0.9 0.5

Maldives 1.9 2.2 1.0 1.3 0.4 0.3

Indonesia 0.9 1.7 1.4 0.6 0.4 0.2

Others 15.5 17.8 18.4 5.2 2.5 2.0

Total 128.6 130.5 144.0 34.0 29.5 23.9


Sustainability of tuna resources of major

concern

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation

(ISSF)- is a partnership between the tuna industry and

World Wildlife Fund (WWF). They are committed to using

sound management based on good science compiled by

regional fi sheries management organizations (RFMOs) to

rate the 19 stocks which support commercial tuna fi shing

used by the canning industry. ISSF has red listed Eastern

Pacifi c bigeye tuna and lobbied during the Inter American

Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) meeting in San Diego in

June 2009 to take action to conserve these stocks. IATTC

failed to adopt the conservation measures proposed by

its scientifi c staff, but it did adopt measures that would

provide some conservation benefi ts, in terms of reduction

of fi shing pressure by about 20%, rather than the 30%

recommended. This is, in fact, a positive outcome, as

in the previous two years no decision on catch reduction

measures had been taken.

The fi lm “End of the line” highlighted overfi shing

worldwide, including the overexploitation of bluefi n tuna

in the Mediterranean. Some companies have reacted to

this message already. One major sandwich producer in

the USA decided to stop using tuna in its sandwiches, even

though no bluefi n tuna had ever been used for this type

of product. Marks & Spencer (M&S), one of the biggest

fi sh retailers in the UK, is to stop selling certain types

of tuna following the message of ”End of the Line”. M&S

said it would become the fi rst UK food retailer to source

only pole & line or line-caught tuna for its fresh foods

from sandwiches to fresh steaks and also for canned tuna

by the end of the year. On the other hand, an important

sushi restaurant in London decided to keep bluefi n tuna

on the menu, but to include a footnote saying that it is an

overexploited species.

Imports

Canned tuna: Germany

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Ecuador 15.8 21.2 28.6 4.9 4.6 4.0

Philippines 23.4 24.1 18.5 6.1 2.6 5.2

Thailand 18.1 11.9 8.2 2.5 1.4 1.2

Indonesia 6.0 8.1 6.8 1.2 1.6 1.8

Papua NG 4.4 5.7 6.1 1.4 0.4 1.2

Seychelles 6.7 2.1 4.4 0.7 1.0 0.0

France 2.2 1.1 0.9 0.3 0.2 0.0

Others 10.2 10.9 7.0 3.5 1.6 2.8

Total 86.8 85.1 80.6 20.6 13.4 16.2

Source: GLOBEFISH


TUNA

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Jun-03 Jun-04 Jun-05 Jun-06 Jun-07 Jun-08 Jun-09

USD/tonne

Thailand

Africa

C&F Prices

Frozen Skipjack: Thailand and Africa

4.5-7 lbs


Prices of frozen skipjack, which came down to

USD 930/tonne for tuna packers in Thailand in May

2009, have turned around again. June 2009 deals were

concluded at USD 1 250/tonne, CFR Bangkok. Marketers

linked this sudden price rise to the poor catch situation,

strong summer demand and upcoming fi shing closures/

restrictions. Canners in Latin America are short of raw

materials and looking for supplies from the Western

Pacifi c to meet their production needs. The annual fi shing

closure period in the Eastern Pacifi c (IATTC) fi shing ground

was extended by 10 days to 59 days this year, and prices

in Ecuador are forecast to increase from the present USD

1 100/tonne to over USD 1 500/tonne.

TUNA NEWS

UK: SAINSBURY’S SELLING 100% SUSTAINABLE TUNA

UK retailer Sainsbury’s is now sourcing all of the tuna for

its own-brand cans from fi shermen using the pole-and-line

catching method. “100% of Sainsbury’s own-brand canned

tuna is now pole-and line-caught. This follows huge amounts

of hard work with suppliers, fi shermen, vessel owners and

the governments in Sri Lanka and the Maldives,” a spokesman

told IntraFish. Greenpeace in 2008 rated Sainsbury’s best

among UK retailers for its tuna- sourcing policies, while John

West ranked at the bottom of the list. Sainsbury’s was the

fi rst retailer to sell Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certifi ed

albacore tuna in a jar. Source: INTRAFISH - 2009-06-02

NIUE: TUNA STOCKS IN DANGER SPC TELLS PACIFIC ISLANDS

FORUM FISHERIES COMMITTEE

The Secretariat of the Pacifi c Community’s Oceanic Fisheries

Programme (SPC-OFP) provided its annual report on the status

of tuna and swordfi sh stocks in the Western and Central Pacifi c

region to the 70th meeting of the Pacifi c Islands Forum Fisheries

Committee Offi cials Meeting held in Alofi , Niue. This meeting of

offi cials will draft recommendations to go to Ministers for high

level decision making later in May 2009. SPC-OFP is the region’s

mandated centre for tuna fi sheries data, stock assessment and

related research. Despite the continued increase in the catch

of skipjack tuna, this highly productive resource is considered

by the scientists to be in a healthy state. However, there are

signifi cant concerns over the status of bigeye tuna and yellow-

fi n tuna and mounting evidence of overfi shing. Albacore tuna,

which is the basis of Pacifi c Island longline fi sheries, appears to

be in healthy condition, although the numbers of larger albacore

targeted by longliners have declined in recent years. SPC-OFP

reported that the regional tuna catch reached 2.4 million tonnes

in 2007, worth approximately USD 3.9 billion. This record catch

was dominated by skipjack tuna (1.7 million tonnes) caught by

purse seine fi shing vessels. SPC-OFP will be updating its assess-

ments of bigeye, yellowfi n and albacore for the Western and

Central Pacifi c Fisheries Commission Scientifi c Committee meet-

ing in August 2009. They will also be evaluating the manage-

ment measures supported by the Pacifi c Islands and agreed by

Western and Central Pacifi c Fisheries Commission last Decem-

ber to see if they will eliminate the overfi shing currently oc-

curring on bigeye and yellowfi n. Source: PACNEWS - 2009-05-15

Japanese sashimi market bleak

As a reaction to the economic crisis, demand for high

value sashimi tuna was very slow in Japan. It improved

temporarily during mid June 2009, when half yearly

bonuses were paid-out, and the sashimi tuna market

became active for a short while. But this improvement

was not sustained and had no lasting impact on the overall

situation. To cope with rising unemployment and falling

disposable incomes, Japanese consumers are spending

less on dining out this year. Household expenditure on

eating out fell by 4.6% in the opening months of 2009

over the previous year.

Exports

Canned tuna: Thailand

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

USA 103.2 87.7 94.9 19.9 20.9 21.4

Egypt 34.1 25.1 34.6 7.8 9.9 4.8

Australia 32.6 33.3 39.7 7.7 9.3 7.7

Libya 27.6 28.8 33.8 7.3 7.3 5.9

Canada 29.7 26.4 28.1 6.6 7.2 7.3

Japan 26.3 25.7 28.3 5.3 7.0 5.7

Saudi Arabia 20.1 21.2 19.6 5.6 3.6 2.4

UK 19.7 13.4 15.8 4.0 3.5 4.6

Germany 18.6 11.7 6.4 2.1 2.1 0.9

South Africa 9.3 9.8 8.4 3.0 3.0 3.3

Others 238.2 184.5 196.5 39.9 48.7 41.9

Total 559.4 467.6 506.1 109.2 122.5 105.9



TUNA

Imports

Fresh/chilled tuna: Japan

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Yellowfi n 19.0 16.9 15.5 4.7 4.2 4.0

Bigeye 15.8 14.5 15 3.8 3.9 4

Bluefi n 7.4 5.1 4.4 1.8 1.2 1.9

S. bluefi n 1.8 1.2 1.2 0.0 0.0 0

Albacore 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Skipjack 0.0 0.1 0 0.0 0.0 0

Total 44.3 38.1 36.3 10.3 9.2 9.9

Source: National Statistics

Coldstorage holdings

Tuna: Japan

Source: INFOFISH Trade News, GLOBEFISH AN 015000

Sushi sales in general also recorded a drop of 18.3%,

with demand for tuna falling by 7%. The decline in sales

for take-away sushi was high at 26.4%. However, imports

of air fl own tuna increased by 7.5% during the fi rst quarter

of the year. Supplies of bigeye and bluefi n tuna were up

during the period. Market analysts link it to the strong

yen and rising tuna trade outside the auction markets,

particularly by supermarkets. Reportedly more meals are

eaten at home, which supports the retail trade.

Imports of frozen tuna into Japan also increased

with higher supplies of skipjack (mostly for katsuobushi

production) and albacore. Notably, demand for bushi or

dried/shaved tuna products in Japan increased by 4.2%

as a result of consumer preference for the cheaper

alternative to high end sashimi tuna. The use of dried

tuna shaves is extensive in Japanese cuisines.

Imports

Tuna pouches: USA

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Thailand 18.6 16.5 19.3 4.7 6.1 6.4

Ecuador 15.6 10.8 13.5 3.1 4.0 2.5

Others 3.8 3.8 5.9 0.6 1.5 1.3

Total 38.0 31.1 38.7 8.4 11.7 10.2

Source: NFMS: GLOBEFISH AN 11038

Imports

Frozen tuna: Japan

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Yellowfi n 90.3 58.7 47.4 12.9 12.1 13.0

Bigeye 86.3 86.8 77.8 21.5 20.8 17.8

Skipjack 50.5 31.3 33.5 6.8 7.0 14.7

S. bluefi n 7.9 8.4 7.4 0.1 0.3 0.6

Albacore 6.2 6.0 8.0 0.5 0.6 1.5

N. Bluefi n 5.1 6.3 4.2 4.0 3.4 1.9

Total 246.3 197.5 178.3 45.8 44.2 49.5

Source: INFOFISH

Overall imports of fresh and frozen tuna (excluding

loins and fi llets) into Japan totaled 69 000 tonnes during

the fi rst quarter of 2009 compared with 66 900 tonnes

imported during the same period last year. Following the

trend observed in the fresh tuna market, more fi sh was

traded outside the auction hall at the Tsukiji market.

Auction prices of purse seine-caught yellowfi n realised

half the price of longline and pole and line caught fi sh.

Supermarkets were the main customers for these fi sh.

US market very quiet

The opening months of the year saw little activity

in the tuna importing business in the USA. Fresh tuna

consumption was affected by the economic crisis,

with fewer people having sashimi meals. Canned tuna

demand, too, seems to be sluggish. As a substantial share

of canned tuna is used for tuna sandwiches in fast food

outlets, continued increasing unemployment leads to

fewer people buying sandwiches for lunch while at work

Yellowfin

Bigeye

Albacore

Skipjack

Others

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

1000 tonnes


TUNA

As a result, all tuna imports declined in the fi rst

three months of the year: -13% for tuna pouches, -

15% for fresh tuna, -9% for frozen tuna loins and -10%

for canned tuna. The latter is the most important tuna

product imported into the USA, accounting for over 60%

of total US tuna imports. In the January – March 2009,

total canned tuna imports were 39 300 tonnes, far below

imports during previous years. Thailand continues to be

the main exporter of this product. This country managed

to increase its exports, despite the overall bleak

situation, and accounts for about half of the US canned

tuna import market. The Philippines and Indonesia, other

top exporters, reported lower shipments of canned tuna

to the US market.

Diffi cult situation for Samoa and Galicia

Tuna canning is an important activity in those parts

of the world where species of tuna used in canning are

landed. The closure of factories has a devastating impact

on the economic structure of the country or region. Two

examples are American Samoa and Spain. Globalization,

which leads to re-location of canneries, is impacting

heavily the socio-economic structure in these areas.

Chicken of the Sea decided to close their factory

in American Samoa and the implications of this decision

for the people and the economy of this island cannot be

understated. Over 2 000 people employed by Chicken

of the Sea will lose their jobs, effectively reducing by

a quarter the active workforce in American Samoa. The

apparent culprit for Chicken of the Sea’s cannery closure

was a 2007 mandate from the US Congress for American

Samoa to match the mainland US minimum wage; a

mandate that has boosted wages from an average of USD

4.00/hour, to a minimum of USD 7.25/hour over the course

of two years. In addition, there are many other factors

that impact negatively the competitiveness of canning in

the American Samoa, such as US tariff reductions at the

World Trade Organization (WTO) and through Free Trade

Agreements (FTAs), competition from low-cost producers

in Thailand and Ecuador, highly variable fuel costs, and

the global economic recession.

Imports

Canned tuna (excl. pouches): USA

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Thailand 74.3 66.1 64.7 27.4 17.7 19.1

Philippines 35.2 26.6 25.9 8.5 9.9 8.6

Indonesia 16.4 14.1 13.5 5.5 5.5 4.3

Ecuador 4.4 1.9 0.7 3.7 0.4 0.6

Others 22.2 25.3 27.8 8.8 10.6 6.7

Total 152.5 134.0 132.6 53.9 44.1 39.3


Imports

Fresh Tuna : USA

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Albacore 0.9 0.9 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.2

Yellowfi n 17.8 18.0 15.9 4.5 4.2 3.5

Bigeye 4.9 5.6 5.5 1.4 1.5 1.3

Bluefi n 1.1 1.1 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.1

Skipjack 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

Total 25.2 25.7 22.7 6.5 6.0 5.1

Source: ITN

Imports

Tuna loins: USA

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Thailand 12.5 7.8 14.9 1.1 3.3 2.1

Fiji 12.4 11.0 10.7 1.7 2.5 2.6

Trin & Tob 12.3 10.5 9.7 2.3 2.5 2.3

Ecuador 4.0 1.2 0.9 0.6 0.1 0.0

Others 9.9 13.3 9.0 3.2 2.6 2.8

Total 51.1 43.8 45.2 8.9 10.8 9.8


Imports

Canned tuna: France

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

C. d’Ivoire 23.1 27.0 22.0 7.8 7.7 6.8

Spain 22.0 19.9 14.2 4.8 3.7 3.7

Madagascar 15.4 10.9 5.6 3.1 2.6 3.1

Seychelles 14.7 13.6 11.7 2.8 2.4 1.7

Italy 8.9 3.5 2.3 0.7 0.9 0.1

Senegal 1.1 1.7 0.9 0.7 0.3 0.4

Others 35.2 29.7 27.1 6.9 6.2 8.9

Total 120.4 106.3 83.7 26.8 23.8 24.7



TUNA

Chicken of the Sea plans to return some of its tuna

canning activities to the USA, and is spending USD 20

million to open canning operations in Lyons, Georgia. This

new plant will employ 200 people and will take advantage

of the relative decrease in utility costs, shipping costs

and input material costs. American Samoa’s second

cannery, owned and operated by StarKist says that it

currently has no plan to close its Pago Pago cannery.

Spain’s canned seafood industry, concentrated

mainly in Galicia region, needs to be restructured

to remain competitive, according to ANFACO (The

National Fish and Seafood Canners Association).

The restructuring may include a reduction in the industry’s

production capacity that will lead to early retirement,

low incentive bonus and personnel layoffs. According to

the association, the industry is under constant threat

from increasing imports of canned seafood particularly

from Southeast Asian canners and strong competition

from supermarket brands. There are 67 canneries

in the region employing around 10 000 workers.

Many of the canners have stopped producing their

own brands and instead produce canned seafood for

supermarket brands. Spanish tuna canners are also the

largest importers of pre-cooked tuna loins in Europe. From

the total 85 000 tonnes of pre-cooked loins imported into

the EU last year as raw material for canned tuna, more

than 45 000 tonnes went to Spain.

Although current demand from the Spanish market

is described as being soft, skipjack 1.8 kg up is now being

traded at EUR 900/tonne, up from EUR 800/tonne, while

whole round yellowfi n 10 kg up is offered at EUR 1 500/

tonne.

Imports

Tuna loins: Spain

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Ecuador 16.0 13.2 22.4 4.6 5.1 6.4

El Salvador 10.9 14.8 12.4 3.8 4.0 5.9

Thailand 0.0 2.9 3.5 2.5 3.5 6.2

Guatemala 2.2 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.9

Portugal 1.4 1.5 1.0 0.4 0.3 0.4

Colombia 0.3 0.4 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.0

Costa Rica 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Venezuela 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 6.7 5.3 4.7 2.2 1.6 2.9

Total 37.5 38.5 46.2 13.7 14.5 22.7

Source: GLOBEFISH

Substantial price increases likely

The general mood in the canned tuna market is that

in all major catching areas around the world prices will

continue to show a consistent upward trend for at least

the coming 4 months. Predictions tend to vary widely

– but some traders project skipjack to be at around USD

1 750/tonne and even higher by September this year. This

can be explained by lower supply, but also by increasing

fuel prices and a weaker dollar.

C&F prices

Canned tuna*: USA, EUROPE

* 48x6.5 oz Europe, 48x6 oz USA, chunk, origin Thailand

Source: GLOBEFISH AN 11101, 11102

0

10

20

30

40


USD/carton

USA

Europe

With the reduced number of fi shing boats, supplies

of high quality red meat tuna from the Atlantic and

Pacifi c oceans to the Japanese sashimi market will be

lower in future. In this conservative market, affected

by the economic recession, demand for sashimi tuna will

also be slow in the coming months. Therefore, with some

minor ups and downs in prices, the market is expected to

maintain a balance during the rest of the year.

C&F prices

Tuna loins: Italy

*


0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

8.00

9.00

Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-05 Jan-06 Jan-07 Jan-08 Jan-09

euro/tonne

Yellowfin

Skipjack


GROUNDFISH

Economic crisis overshadows groundfi sh market

Prices of all groundfi sh species declined sharply in the fi rst half of 2009. The main

reason was lower demand by institutional clients. In addition, cheap cultured fi sh

– pangasius and tilapia – create strong competition in the market. On the positive side,

the return of cod stocks in the Barents Sea and in Newfoundland can be mentioned. In

the latter area, it has taken almost 30 years for the cod stock to recover. Alaska pol-

lack continues to be the main groundfi sh species caught worldwide. For this species,

the situation is bleak in US waters, but higher quotas were given in the Russian fi shing

area. Supply to the market is expected to be abundant in coming months.

C&F prices

Groundfi sh blocks: USA

Source: GLOBEFISH AN 010805, 010806, 010834

Cod stocks recover in Barents Sea

In the Barents Sea, the overall cod biomass is now

the largest it has been since 1968, and the spawning stock

biomass is the highest it has been since the early 1950’s.

The 2008 TAC in the Barents Sea was 430 000 tonnes. For

2009, the TAC is 525 000 tonnes. For 2010 and 2011, it

will increase by another 50 000 tonnes each year.

This means an additional 200 000 tonnes of cod

available in the Barents Sea, between 2008 and 2011 to

which another 30 000 tonnes in Iceland can be added.

Furthermore, surges in cod have been reported

in the Northwestern Atlantic and in parts of Western

Greenland at a time when the market collapse for cod

has bottomed out.

This change in the abundance of cod is caused by

environmental conditions that are making the North

Atlantic a more hospitable habitat. It is interesting to note

that only recently, cod was being red-fl agged on various

environmental lists, and there were demonstrations in

the UK, against retailers who were selling thought to be

‘endangered’ cod.

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

Jun-02 Jun-03 Jun-04 Jun-05 Jun-06 Jun-07 Jun-08 Jun-09

USD/lb

Cod

Alaska pollack

Hake

Cod is back in Canada

After almost 30 years cod is back in the the Canadian

Atlantic Ocean. However, this increase in production

in this area has not yet had an impact on the present

groundfi sh market, but it will most likely be felt in the

coming years. The recovery of cod stocks in the Barents

Sea and in the Northwest Atlantic were the subject of a

presentation made at the Brussels Seafood Exhibition. It

reported that cod stocks are at their highest levels in three

decades. While the effect of possible increased catches is

not apparent yet, it could impact the groundfi sh market

signifi cantly in coming years.

Imports

Cod-like groundfi sh: USA

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

( 1 000 tonnes)

Fillets

China 91.3 74.5 71.6 20.2 18.7 20.1

Iceland 16 11.1 7.9 4.1 2.5 2.9

Canada 9.7 5.5 4.2 1.1 0.6 1.0

Norway 2.1 0.2 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.4

Others 9.0 6.4 5.5 1.0 0.0 0.0

Total 128.1 97.7 90.0 26.8 22.1 24.4

Blocks/Slabs

China 25.4 41.7 35.2 14.2 10.3 9.8

Argentina 2.9 2.0 2.3 0.9 0.6 0.2

Iceland 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.4

Norway 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Russian Fed. 0.5 0.8 1.3 0.1 0.2 1.1

Canada 0.5 2.1 0.7 0.7 0.2 0.2

Korea Rep. 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 2.0 1.7 1.4 1.0 0.8 1.6

Total 32.4 49.2 42.0 17.1 12.2 13.3

Gr. Total 160.5 146.9 132.0 43.9 34.3 37.7

Source: NMFS


Cod farming in Norway is experiencing an uncertain

period as it battles to achieve profi tability in the face

of generally poor market conditions and diffi culties in

increasing cod growing rates suffi ciently for economic

production.

Higher imports into US market

Groundfi sh imports into the US maket showed an

increase (10% from 34 300 tonnes to 37 700 tonnes) in the

fi rst quarter of this year compared with the fi rst three

months of 2008 but have not yet recovered to January-

March 2007 levels (43 900 tonnes). This rise refl ects

increased imports by the USA of both frozen fi llets and

blocks. During the fi rst three months of 2009 the quantity

of frozen groundfi sh fi llets imported by the US was 24 400

tonnes, 10% more compared with the same period of the

previous year, whereas imports of blocks went up by 9%.

China is the main supplier of both groundfi sh fi llets and

blocks to the USA with 82% and 74% respectively of total

imports during January-March 2009. This country has

increased its shipments to the US by 7% (fi llets) and 5%

(blocks) in the period under review. China is the major re-

processor of groundfi sh in the world, with strong imports

of raw material from the USA, Russia and Norway.

Prices of all groundfi sh on the US market have

remained stable in the fi rst half of 2009. The cod market,

where prices had been in free fall since November 2008,

seems to have stabilized at a low level. Fillets were

quoted at USD 2.50/lb. Hake fi llets, which followed

the same trend as cod, had a value of USD 2.20/lb for

the whole of this period. Only the Alaska pollack price

declined in June 2009 from USD 2.00/lb to USD 1.93/lb,

back to November 2008 levels.

China dominates European Alaska pollack

market

Moving on to the European groundfi sh market,

German imports of Alaska pollack fi llets which remained

unchanged between the fi rst quarters of 2007 and 2008

only slightly increased (by 5 % to 42 200 tonnes) its

income of this product during January-March 2009. As in

the USA, China is the main exporter to Germany, with

24 200 tonnes of Alaska pollack fi llets in the fi rst months

of 2009, 16% more compared to 2008 and up 23% from

2007. However, the USA, the second main suppplier to

Germany, decreased its exports of Alaska pollack fi llets

to Germany quite strongly (by 53% to 8 300 tonnes during

January-March 2009 compared with the same months of

2008).

Alaska pollack fi llets imports into France have

dropped to 10 100 tonnes (6%) compared with the same

months of 2008 despite the 14% increase in Chinese

supplies. The fi gures indicate that the decrease in imports

can be ascribed to the other suppliers, namely the USA

(-9%), Germany (-7%) and the Russian Federation (-20%).

Imports

Frozen Alaska pollock fi llets: Germany

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

( 1 000 tonnes)

China 88.0 78.5 89.7 19.7 20.8 24.2

USA 39.4 55.2 53.4 15.4 17.8 8.3

Russian.F. 27.6 25.4 28.9 7.3 4.9 8.5

Others 6.1 5.3 4.9 2.0 0.9 1.2

Total 161.1 164.4 176.8 44.4 44.4 42.2

Source: Statistisches Bundesamt

Imports

Frozen cod fi llets: Germany

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

( 1 000 tonnes)

China 8.1 12.2 12.1 3.0 3.8 3.0

Poland 1.4 3.8 2.2 1.5 0.6 0.5

Denmark 1.2 1.5 1.8 0.3 0.7 0.4

Russia 2.4 1.1 1.1 0.5 0.5 0.2

Iceland 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Norway 0.6 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

Others 1.8 2.7 2.1 0.6 0.3 0.3

Total 16.0 22.2 19.7 6.0 6.1 4.5


Imports

Frozen hake fi llets: Germany

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

( 1 000 tonnes)

USA 4.4 6.1 6.3 2.2 2.0 1.5

Peru 4.1 4.1 3.7 1.1 1.5 0.9

Argentina 6.9 6.1 3.5 1.5 0.8 1.7

Chile 2.2 1.0 1.5 0.7 0.3 0.3

Russian Fed. 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 6.6 4.5 5.6 1.8 1.0 2.2

Total 24.4 21.8 20.6 7.3 5.6 6.6


GROUNDFISH


Less cod on German market

German imports of frozen cod fi llets have dropped by

26% in 2009 reaching 4 500 tonnes, mainly caused by the

decline in Chinese exports (by 21% to 3 000 tonnes) but

also by reduced shipments from Denmark and Russia.

During the fi rst quarter of 2009, the UK

imported 15 400 tonnes of frozen cod, the culmination

of a downward trend, fi nishing almost 18% below the

corresponding 2008 fi gure and 43% below the 2007. Again,

the main reason for this decline is the drop in imports

from China (-52% to 3 000 tonnes), the main supplier of

cod to the UK market.

The German market reported a strong positive

trend (+18%) for frozen hake fi llet imports, compared

to 2008, although not achieving 2007 levels. USA (the

leading supplier) and Peru have decreased their exports

of this product to Germany (by 25% and 40% respectively).

Argentina thus accounted for the increase in total hake

fi llet imports.

Italian frozen hake import fi gures show that the

overall situation has not changed at all in the fi rst three

Imports

Frozen hake: Italy

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

( 1 000 tonnes)

Argentina 14.8 10.8 10.2 2.7 2.6 2.2

S. Africa 4.8 4.4 5.6 1.1 1.6 1.5

Spain 6.3 5.3 4.3 1.7 1.3 1.2

Uruguay 5.8 4.6 4.0 0.8 0.9 0.9

Namibia 2.4 1.7 2.9 0.4 0.5 0.5

Peru 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.0

Chile 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2

Others 2.3 2.8 2.4 0.5 0.0 0.8

Total 36.6 29.8 30.1 7.3 7.2 7.3

months of 2009 (7 300 tonnes) compared with the same

period of both 2008 and 2007. Decreased exports by

Argentina (-15%) and South Africa (-6%), the top suppliers

of frozen hake to Italy, have been counterbalanced by

increased exports by other suppliers.

Outlook diffi cult

Some traders are speculating on a shortage of

Alaska pollack in coming months, which should lead to

increasing prices despite the fact that demand is falling

and a price decrease for the B season is expected in the

USA. In Russia, the quota has been increased so price

levels are expected to decrease below USD 4 000/tonne.

However, the overall world economic situation, plus the

good supply of cod and Alaska pollack on the market

will not leave much room for price increases in the near

future.

Imports

Frozen Alaska pollock fi llets: France

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

( 1 000 tonnes)

China 18.6 18.6 21.7 4.7 5.7 6.5

USA 10.8 10.3 7.9 2.5 2.3 1.4

Germany 6.3 4.4 4.2 1.2 1.1 0.8

Russian Fed. 4.3 4.0 7.1 1.6 1.5 1.2

Others 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.0

Total 40.8 38.0 41.5 10.1 10.7 10.1

Source: National Trade Statistics

Surimi sales system threatened

Japanese traders see little chance of recovery in

surimi production mainly because of the US Alaska pollack

quota cuts in recent years, which have caused substantial

diffi culties in securing raw material. Surimi production

in the preceding ‘A’ season (including surimi originating

from the Gulf of Alaska), dropped by 27% since last year

when production was over 50 000 tonnes. The decline in

surimi production in the USA was also related to the fact

that packers progressively shifted to Alaska pollack fi llet

and H&G (dressed) production. In Russia, pollock catch

quotas have been raised gradually. As part of the national

policy, preference is given to production for domestic

consumption For this reason, there is a slim chance of an

increase in surimi supply in the next few years.

GROUNDFISH

GROUNDFISH NEWS

NORWAY/UK: MSC LABEL NETS DOMSTEIN UK DEAL

A second UK retailer will stock MSC-labeled haddock supplied

by Norway’s Domstein following the company’s certifi cation

in March 2009. Sainsbury’s will start selling MSC-labeled

haddock in mid June, following ASDA’s decision to sell cod and

haddock from Domstein Longline Partners in March. Although

it will initially only be the haddock from Domstein sold be

Sainsbury’s, a spokesman told Intrafi sh it was “looking into”

also selling its cod. The company has seen a dramatic increase

in demand cod and haddock since getting the MSC approval,

Domstein CEO Roll Domstein told IntraFish. Source: INTRAFISH

JAPAN: NISSUI REPORTED SURIMI CLIMBED 50%

Japanese fi rm Nippon Suisan Kaisha (Nissui) reported healthy

sales in its surimi business as prices jumped in the fi scal year

to 31 March 2009. Though the company’s production of surimi

dropped almost 20% to 27 360 tonnes, the value surged 22.5%

to JPY 13 billion (EUR 99.2 million/USD 138 million) after

the unit price increased by half. Despite this rise, overall

sales of seafood at the company fell 7.9% by volume to 139

483 tonnes, while overall value of sales made a loss of JPY

3 billion (EUR 22.9 million/USD 32 million). As for salmon,

trout, shrimp, and cod roe, their declined transaction

quantities led to reduced sales. Source: THE SUISAN TIMES


Economic crisis impacts world cephalopod market

The world squid market is in a very diffi cult situation. Supply is sharply down in the

Southwest Atlantic, which normally would lead to a substantial price hike, especially

after the extremely low prices of the previous two years. However, the economic crisis

is putting a brake on these price expectations, and even though prices are moving up

somewhat, they are still well below potential levels. Demand for octopus is strong in

Japan, while the European market is rather reluctant to offer higher prices. Future

price developments will depend on the outcome of the fi shing season in the East central

Atlantic, which has just started.

CEPHALOPODS

Squid catches extremely low

The 2009 squid season in the Southwest Atlantic was

a disaster. In the whole area, only 65 000 tonnes of squid

were caught in the fi rst fi ve months of the year, which

compares with 334 000 tonnes of squid caught in the area

during the same period last year. Squid catches around the

Falklands/Malvinas were extremely low, only 45 tonnes

of Illex squid were caught in January to May 2009, which

compares with 94 000 tonnes during the same period of

2008. For Loligo squid the decline was slightly less

dramatic, down from 25 000 tonnes to 13 000

tonnes. Argentina Mainland reported squid catches during

the fi rst fi ve months of the year of 53 000 tonnes, down

from last year’s 220 000 tonnes. In June 2009 there is

practically no more squid fi shing, as the fuel costs are

higher than income.

Exports

Argentina: Squid

....................Jan-April....................

2007 2008 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Spain 58.4 61.2 26.1 9.7

China 37.6 66.8 15.1 6.4

Brazil 2.3 2.4 0.6 1.6

Japan 10.7 6.2 2.5 2.1

Italy 11.5 9.3 4.2 1.8

Korea, Rep 4.4 4.0 0.7 1.3

Others 24.3 25.5 5.3 5.8

Total 149.2 175.3 54.5 28.7

Source: GLOBEFISH

Imports

Cuttlefi sh: Japan

.............Jan-Dec............ .............Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Thailand 12.5 11.5 8.3 2.7 1.8 1.6

Viet Nam 4.7 5.1 4.5 1.3 0.9 1.0

Morocco 3.5 3.9 2.2 0.6 0.3 0.2

Malaysia 2.2 1.6 1.7 0.4 0.3 0.4

Korea Rep. 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.1

China 1.5 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

Ghana 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Mauritania 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 3.1 2.6 2.3 0.7 0.6 0.5

Total 28.1 26.0 19.7 6.0 4.0 3.8


Squid exports from Argentina were 28 700 tonnes

in the fi rst four months of 2009, almost half the amount

Imports

Squid: USA

.............Jan-Dec............ .............Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

China 32.9 28.8 27.7 7.2 5.3 5.5

Thailand 7.4 7.2 8.2 1.6 2.8 1.4

India 8.2 4.5 6.9 1.2 0.9 0.9

Taiwan PC 5.6 5.9 5.4 0.9 1.4 1.5

New Zealand 2.2 2.5 1.0 0.4 0.3 0.2

Rep. Korea 2.8 3.1 5.4 0.6 0.9 1.0

Peru 1.7 0.1 2.0 0.6 0.4 0.7

Others 8.4 10.3 8.5 1.7 1.2 1.2

Total 69.2 62.4 65.1 14.2 13.2 12.4



CEPHALOPODS

Imports

Squid: Japan

.............Jan-Dec............ .............Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

China 28.9 30.2 26.1 6.0 5.2 4.8

Peru 4.8 7.8 12.8 0.0 0.9 1.9

Thailand 7.6 8.1 7.1 1.6 1.4 1.3

Argentina 5.6 10.4 6.3 0.4 0.1 0.3

Viet Nam 7.0 6.8 5.5 1.3 1.0 1.0

USA 4.6 5.4 3.9 1.7 3.5 0.5

India 1.9 1.0 1.2 0.3 0.2 0.2

New Zealand 1.4 3.3 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.1

Korea Rep. 0.4 0.9 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.0

Morocco 0.8 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2

Taiwan PC 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 2.6 2.6 2.8 1.4 0.4 0.8

Total 65.9 77.1 67.8 13.2 12.8 11.1


Imports

Squid: Spain

.............Jan-Dec............ .............Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Argentina 83.6 61.3 54.4 8.0 4.2 4.9

Falkland/Malv. 42.4 40.3 45.6 7.0 3.5 3.8

India 18.2 12.8 15.5 3.1 2.3 2.5

China 8.1 6.4 6.7 1.8 1.9 2.3

Morocco 4.5 1.4 3.3 0.4 0.6 1.0

South Africa 4.0 3.5 4.5 1.0 1.2 0.7

USA 3.9 1.7 2.2 0.6 1.0 0.2

Korea Rep. 2.5 2.0 2.9 0.6 1.0 0.2

Peru 1.8 4.5 1.2 1.1 0.3 0.7

New Zealand 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 12.2 11.8 14.0 1.7 4.1 2.0

Total 181.2 145.8 150.4 25.3 20.1 18.3


Imports

Cuttlefi sh: Spain

.............Jan-Dec............ .............Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

India 19.8 18.1 16.8 3.3 2.7 2.8

Morocco 11.3 10.1 12.1 2.3 2.4 2.1

China 8.0 5.1 6.4 0.7 0.8 1.1

France 5.1 6.7 3.8 1.4 1.1 0.6

Mauritania 3.2 3.6 2.5 1.2 0.8 0.2

Ghana 2.3 2.0 1.5 0.6 0.4 0.4

Others 14.2 12.2 8.1 3.1 2.2 1.3

Total 63.9 57.8 51.2 12.6 10.4 8.5


exported one year earlier. While exports to Japan and Re-

public of Korea were quite strong, shipments to Spain and

China, usually the main markets for Argentinian squid,

declined sharply.

Good demand in Japan

In the Japanese market, which had already started to

weaken when squid supplies from the Southwest Atlantic

fi rst arrived, prices fi rmed again, once the disastrous

catch situation there became apparent. Total squid

imports into the Japanese market in the fi rst quarter of

the year were slightly lower than the corresponding 2008

fi gures. Further price hikes are likely before September

Spanish import statistics for the fi rst three months of

the year showed a moderate decline in imports, a trend

that will become stronger in the second quarter of the year.

All main exporting countries reported lower exports.

On the other hand, Spanish importers are reluctant to

offer higher prices, in the view of the overall economic

situation in the country.

Similar to Spain, the Italian market is importing less

squid. In addition, Italian traders are turning to lower

priced species (Giant squid) rather than the traditional

Loligo squid. The use of this relatively new species in

industrial food preparations, such as seafood salads, is

increasing.

when the domestic fl ying squid supply will enter the

market. Overall, coldstorage holdings are about 7 000

tonnes short of the last year’s results, which also points

to price increases in the market.

Prices should be moving up, in reaction to

this sharp decline, but the impact of the eco-

nomic crisis on demand for squid in Spain puts

an effective brake on any major price increases.

The unit value of Spanish squid imports from Argentina

was USD 1 000/tonne in the January-April 2009 period,

down from USD 1 067/tonne in the same period of 2008.

Imports of squid from Argentina into Spain were 9 700

tonnes in the January-April 2009 period, down sharp-

ly (-63%) from the corresponding period of 2008.


Coldstorage holdings

Cuttlefi sh and Squid: Japan

*NEI


0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Apr-01 Apr-02 Apr-03 Apr-04 Apr-05 Apr-06 Apr-07 Apr-08 Apr-09

1 000 MT

Cuttlefish

NEI*

Squid

Imports

Octopus: Japan

.............Jan-Dec............ .............Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Mauritania 16.6 14.0 12.6 3.8 4.0 4.2

Morocco 8.7 10.3 10.9 1.6 0.5 0.5

China 8.2 7.2 6.7 1.3 2.3 1.0

Viet Nam 5.5 4.8 5.5 1.1 0.8 1.1

Spain 4.0 1.8 2.7 0.5 1.2 0.4

Thailand 1.9 1.8 1.2 0.5 0.3 0.3

Others 3.5 6.9 5.1 0.5 2.3 0.4

Total 48.4 46.8 44.7 9.3 11.4 7.9


Imports

Octopus: Spain

.............Jan-Dec............ .............Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Morocco 20.2 19.6 23.2 7.9 6.3 5.1

Mauritania 4.9 4.9 4.5 1.3 1.0 2.3

China 2.8 1.6 1.8 0.4 0.4 0.3

Viet Nam 1.9 2.2 1.6 0.9 0.3 0.4

Portugal 1.4 1.7 2.2 0.2 0.9 0.3

Senegal 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.1

Others 8.6 8.8 8.7 2.6 2.3 1.0

Total 40.3 39.3 42.6 13.4 11.3 9.5


Imports

Squid: Italy

.............Jan-Dec............ .............Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Thailand 21.2 22.8 23.4 4.6 5.5 4.7

Spain 30.3 25.2 22.1 7.6 6.3 6.8

Argentina 8.9 10.7 10.0 0.7 0.6 0.4

S. Africa 5.0 3.7 3.7 1.4 0.7 0.7

India 3.8 2.9 3.5 0.7 0.6 1.0

Peru 3.4 3.4 0.9 0.6 0.1 1.1

New Zealand 2.3 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 22.8 32.8 23.2 5.2 6.0 4.1

Total 97.7 101.6 86.9 20.8 19.8 18.8


Imports

Cuttlefi sh: Italy

.............Jan-Dec............ .............Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

France 5.9 6.7 5.6 1.1 1.7 1.1

Spain 4.8 3.7 4.6 0.8 1.0 0.9

Tunisia 3.1 5.1 4.1 1.3 1.2 0.9

Senegal 2.2 2.4 1.9 0.5 0.5 0.4

Viet Nam 1.7 0.8 1.0 0.3 0.2 0.1

Morocco 1.1 0.8 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.2

India 2.9 0.9 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.3

China 0.5 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.1

Thailand 1.6 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1

Others 9.1 5.9 5.5 1.4 1.1 0.5

Total 32.9 26.7 25.2 5.8 6.2 4.6


High prices offered for octopus

Octopus fi shing has recently started in Mauritania

and Morocco. As usually at the beginning of the catch-

ing season, after a long period of fi shing bans, catches

are good and specimens are large. However, the expec-

tations are for smaller octopus to be caught soon, and

lower catches to be reported.

Octopus traders in Japan are offering higher prices

than Europe at the moment, and there was a substantial

shift in exports towards this market during the second

quarter of the year. During the fi rst quarter of 2009, oc-

topus imports into Japan declined sharply. As a result,

coldstorage holdings went down in recent months, and

traders are fi lling the gap. Prices of octopus in the Japa-

nese market are moving up, helped by a relatively strong

yen.

CEPHALOPODS


CEPHALOPODS NEWS

TAIWAN PC RESEARCHERS HAVE CREATED A PROMISING BRAIN

NUTRIENT FROM SQUID SKIN

A Taiwan PC research team has successfully extracted a brain-

boosting nutrient from cheap squid skin that can improve memory

and enhance learning ability, a fi sheries offi cial said on 23 April

2009. Researchers at the Fisheries Research Institute under the

Council of Agriculture were able to extract PL-DHA (phospholipid

docosahexaenoic acid), a memory enhancing substance, from the

skin of squid. The offi cial said PL-DHA was better than TG-DHA,

another form of docosahexaenoic acid that is commonly found in

deep-sea fi sh oil, in inhibiting degradation of intellect because it

could cross the blood brain barrier and be absorbed directly into

the brain. The researchers have also discovered that the PL-DHA

squid extract is effective in reviving neural cells and enhancing

the content of three oxidation-resistant enzymes - GSH, CAT and

SOD - as well as moderating free radical-induced oxidative damage

to neural cells, thus slowing down the accumulation of plaque and

tangles in brain cells. Taiwan PC boasts abundant squid catches,

with annual output reaching between 150 000 tonnes and 200

000 tonnes, the offi cial continued, adding that by-products from

squid processing accounts for 35% of the total catch, with squid

skins making up about 15% of the by-products. Source: ASIA PULSE

Imports

Octopus: Italy

.............Jan-Dec............ .............Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Morocco 11.7 12.3 14.5 5.0 4.4 5.4

Spain 8.5 6.9 8.2 1.7 2.0 1.9

Viet Nam 5.6 3.3 4.5 0.5 0.7 0.5

Indonesia * 2.5 4.0 0.6 0.8 0.9

Senegal 3.7 4.2 3.4 0.5 0.6 0.4

Thailand 3.4 2.4 2.8 0.3 0.3 0.4

Mexico 2.8 4.6 2.2 1.3 1.1 0.1

Mauritania 3.4 2.5 1.4 0.5 0.2 1.6

Tunisia 1.9 2.0 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.4

Others 10.2 7.4 9.1 1.4 1.7 1.3

Total 51.2 48.1 50.9 12.6 12.3 12.9


Italian octopus imports were stable in the Janu-

ary-March period, with substantial increases in imports

from Morocco and Mauritania. Spanish octopus imports

declined somewhat, as the buying interest in this country

was very slow.

Economic situation takes bite on squid prices

Squid prices in Europe will continue to increase,

owing to extremely low supply from the Southwest At-

lantic. However, price increases are not as high as ex-

pected because of the overall bleak economic situation.

Wholesale prices

Cuttlefi sh, squid: Japan

* whole 10 kg/block, 0.4-0.6 kg/pc;

** whole 7.5 kg/block, 21-25 pc/kg;

Source: INFOFISH Trade News, GLOBEFISH AN 10501, 09

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0


US$/kg

Squid **

Cuttlefish *

Wholesale prices

Octopus: Japan


0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16


0.3-0.5 kg/pc

2.0-3.0 kg/pc

USD/kg

In addition, supply of Dosidicus gigas from Peru, which in

previous years was a substitute for Illex squid from the

Southwest Atlantic, is scarce at the moment. The start

of the European summer and the tourist season generally

means good demand for squid, but tourism will probably

be at a lower level this year. In addition the poor eco-

nomic situation in Spain is acting as a real deterrent to

higher prices.

Octopus prices are decreasing in Europe, in reaction

to the economic crisis, again mainly in Spain. Octopus

exporters are shifting to the Japanese market, as prices

there are attractive as a result of good buying interest. It

will take some time before production from the present

catch season will reach the market.

CEPHALOPODS


When looking at the overall supply situation, it has to

be considered also that increasing quantities of fi shmeal

production are coming from fi sh processing waste.

The share of these products in overall world fi shmeal

production is estimated at 25%. Probably some 1.2 million

tonnes of fi shmeal are coming from this source, generally

escaping offi cial statistics.

Soymeal was able to reach a new high price level

for the year and prices will stay that high until the new

crop arrives on the market later in 2009. At present the

market expects that the current shortage will be relieved

once the new USA crop becomes available. In June 2009,

soymeal prices reached USD 450/tonne, which compares

to USD 320/tonne at the beginning of the year. Fishmeal

prices went up too, to reach USD 1 143/tonne in mid year.

Overall shortage of fi shmeal in the market was the main

reason for price hikes. However, price levels are still USD

70/tonne below those of last year.

Prices

Fishmeal and Soymeal

* all origins, 64-65% cif Hamburg; ** 44% cif Rotterdam

Source: Oil World, GLOBEFISH AN 11702, 11706

Prices going up for fi shmeal

Total fi shmeal production in the fi rst quarter of 2009 was 433 000 tonnes, some 25%

less than last year. Peruvian production in the fi rst quarter of the year was extremely

low. However, the indications are quite favourable for the second quarter of the year,

as Peruvian production improved with the introduction of the new fi shing quota sys-

tem. Overall, fi shmeal production in 2009 is likely to be in line with 2008 production

or only slightly lower. The coming year, however, might be an El Niño year, which might

lower production in Peru and Chile. Prices started to move upwards in the second

quarter of the year, also in line with higher soymeal prices.

FISHMEAL

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400


USD/tonne

Fishmeal*

Soymeal**

Lower exports from Peru

During the fi rst quarter of 2009, fi shmeal exports

from Peru were substantially below last year’s fi gures.

However, buying interest last year was exceptionally high,

owing to strong Chinese buying interest. This year,

trade is back to normal. Total Peruvian exports were

427 000 tonnes during the January to March 2009 period,

40% less than during the same period of 2008. China

continues to be the main buyer of Peruvian fi shmeal,

accounting for more than 50% of Peruvian exports.

Chinese fi shmeal stock was 100 000 tonnes in early

July 2009, a normal level for this time of the year. The

market situation is quite stable, with prices around USD

1 135/tonne. More buying interest is foreseen during the

third quarter of the year.

Starting in May 2009, experts were forecasting a

El Niño in the tropical Pacifi c beginning later this year.

According to US and Australian weather forecasts, the

possibility for the El Niño has climbed to 50%. Already

surface ocean waters along Peru have started to warm

up. If the temperature continues rising, local fi shing will

be affected and fi shmeal production will be restricted in

turn. As a result, traders might build up inventories and

prices are likely to climb up.

Production

Fishmeal: 5 major producers

.............Jan-Dec......... .......Jan-Mar.............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Peru 1456 1420 1390 160 92 33

Chile 776 700 668 245 260 223

Denmark 213 162 151 67 60 35

Norway 176 155 148 81 75 45

Iceland 162 135 251 30 35 35

Total 2783 2717 2608 583 522 371

Source: GLOBEFISH


FISHMEAL

FISHMEAL NEWS

PERU: COPEINCA DOUBLED ITS SALES IN 2008

Fishmeal and fi sh oil production company Copeinca ASA in 2008

successfully consolidated the integration of the companies it ac-

quired in 2007, which led to more effi cient operations and sub-

stantial savings in costs. While in 2007 Copeinca sold 135 000

tonnes of fi shmeal and fi sh oil, 2008 showed sales of 247 700

tonnes. Production last year was 205 000 tonnes including fi sh-

meal and oil, up from 153 000 tonnes the year prior. The average

revenue per tonne in 2008 was USD 968, up from USD 956 in 2007.

Source: FIS

Imports

Fishmeal: UK

..........Jan-Dec........... ..........Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Peru 37.6 19.3 25.0 5.0 3.1 7.3

Denmark 25.3 12.9 22.0 3.1 1.1 1.1

Iceland 13.6 3.8 10.3 0.2 2.3 0.0

Ireland 6.0 11.4 9.1 1.7 3.7 7.0

Germany 30.8 13.5 8.3 0.0 3.8 0.9

Faroe Is. 2.3 3.4 7.9 0.0 3.2 0.0

Norway 7.9 9.8 3.8 4.1 1.7 1.1

Chile 10.9 5.0 0.0 3.7 0.0 0.0

Others 5.0 8.3 4.5 1.2 1.0 0.5

Total 139.4 87.4 90.9 19.0 19.9 18.0


Imports

Fishmeal*: USA

..........Jan-Dec........... ..........Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Mexico 27.6 20.0 22.7 6.7 4.7 5.7

Peru 11.2 1.1 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.2

Canada 7.4 6.5 2.0 1.8 1.0 0.7

Chile 5.9 6.7 5.5 0.9 1.3 1.8

Panama 1.6 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.0

Iceland 0.6 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 4.4 4.2 7.0 1.2 1.0 2.1

Total 58.7 39.6 38.1 10.6 8.4 10.5

Source: GLOBEFISH AN 11630 * excluding solubles

Exports

Fishmeal: Peru

..........Jan-Dec........... ..........Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

China 535.2 555.2 831.9 174.5 388.3 231.8

Germany 208.9 166.0 191.9 47.8 76.3 54.9

Japan 174.0 149.7 148.1 33.0 57.2 36.3

Taiwan PC 57.1 39.3 46.8 12.2 22.8 17.5

Others 338.4 349.1 345.3 110.9 153.9 86.8

Total 1313.6 1259.3 1564.0 378.4 698.5 427.4


Prices going up in near future

The Peruvian quota is exhausted. There are several

feedbacks on the new individual quota system. It will

take some time before the quota system is adjusted

suffi ciently to perform as well as the designers wanted.

World supply of fi shmeal is quite low at the moment, and

will decline somewhat in coming months, but the overall

demand is very good. Peru, in particular, has very limited

supplies of fi shmeal, which have to last for the next 4

months or so as no major fi shing will take place. As a

result prices are expected to increase substantially in

Exports

Fishmeal: Chile

..........Jan-Dec........... ..........Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

China 169 189 245 45 39 66

Japan 83 65 51 24 8 12

Germany 33 32 37 7 7 4

Spain 28 33 32 8 5 5

Rep. Korea 30 28 25 7 6 5

Italy 26 27 22 5 8 6

Taiwan PC 50 30 18 10 3 4

Others 72 84 58 23 16 15

Total 519 488 487 129 92 117

Source: GLOBEFISH AN 11625, (*) included under others

Imports

Fishmeal: Germany

..........Jan-Dec........... ..........Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Peru 202.1 192.3 131.1 63.1 18.4 62.9

Denmark 8.8 3.7 8.6 0.6 0.0 1.4

Iceland 1.2 1.4 7.5 0.0 6.1 0.0

Chile 1.0 7.1 5.0 3.9 1.2 2.4

France 2.6 2.0 3.6 0.5 0.5 1.0

Norway 1.0 1.0 0.3 1.0 0.1 0.1

Others 18.7 2.7 8.9 0.3 2.5 0.9

Total 235.4 210.2 165.0 69.4 28.8 68.7



Lower supply of fi sh oil

Fish oil production declined in the opening months of 2009, in line with overall fi sh-

meal production. However, because of higher oil content than last year, the decline

was relatively lower. Fish oil prices usually follow quite closely the change in fuel

prices. In fact, fi sh oil prices rose in the second quarter of the year, following fuel

prices upwards.

FISH OIL

Prices

Fish Oil and Soybean Oil

Source: GLOBEFISH AN 12002, 12003

FISH OIL NEWS

USA: IS THERE ANYTHING OMEGA-3S CAN’T DO?

Omega-3 fatty acids protect brain cells by preventing the

misfolding of a protein from a gene mutation in Parkinson’s disease,

US researchers said. Spinocerebellar Ataxia, a disabling disorder

that affects speech, eye movement, and hand coordination at

early ages of life, is one disorder resulting from the Ataxin-1

misfolding defect. The researchers found the omega-3 fatty acid,

docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), protects cells from this defect. The

fi ndings were presented at the American Society for Nutrition,

Experimental Biology 2009 annual meeting in New Orleans.

Source: UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL

PERU: OMEGA-3 FISH OIL PLANT PREMIERES

Alicorp SA inaugurated a plant that produces fi sh oil with high

omega-3 fatty acid content, derived from Piura region, with which

it aims to satisfy demand in the markets of the USA, Canada, EU,

Asia and Australia. The Peruvian fi rm invested USD 50 million after

allying itself in 2007 with the biggest global producer of omega-3

fi sh oil supplements and functional ingredients, Ocean Nutrition

Canada (ONC). According to Alicorp’s general manager, Leslie

Pierce, the new plant “directly employs 100 people and has a

production capacity of 24 000 annual tonnes of omega-3 products

and an additional 30 000 annual tonnes of purifi ed oil, which ONC

uses for nutritional supplement production. Source: ANDINA

In the fi rst three months of 2009, Peru exported some

52 500 tonnes of fi sh oil, down 22% from the same period

of 2008. This product was mainly shipped to Belgium,

Denmark, Chile, Canada and Norway. These fi ve countries

accounted for 72% of total Peruvian fi sh oil during the

fi rst quarter of 2009. The salmon crisis in Chile led to a

reduction in fi sh oil exports to this country.

Production

Fish oil: World

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Peru 287 333 320 13 18 10

Chile 118 118 139 39 36 35

Denmark 67 56 55 15 16 14

Iceland 42 46 81 8 7 6

Norway 37 18 38 12 15 11

Total* 594 697 633 87 92 76

Source: GLOBEFISH

Fish oil production increased in the course of the

second quarter of 2009, after the continuous decline

experienced in late 2008 and early 2009. However, owing

to the extremely low soybean supply in the world market,

soybean oil prices exceeded those of fi sh oil for the fi rst

time in seven years. Prices of both commodities are likely

to increase in coming months, following the overall price

developments of oil commodities.

Exports

Fish oil: USA

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Menhaden 38.2 45.4 43.2 0.2 6.3 0.0

Other 24.7 8.4 13.3 2.9 3.8 3.4

Total 62.9 53.8 56.5 3.1 10.1 3.4


Further price hikes likely

Fish oil production in 2009 is likely to be similar

to that of 2008. Demand should continue to be strong,

despite the problems of the Chilean salmon industry. Fish

oil prices are certain to increase further.

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000


USD/tonne

Soybean Oil

Fish Oil


Tilapia: a good product in the present crisis

Tilapia is a product with a strong growth rate. China is by far the main producer, but

many other Asian countries are also expanding their tilapia outputs. This product is

good in these times of economic crisis, as its price/value ratio is very good. The USA

is the main market in the Western world, while the EU is still lagging behind. Prices of

tilapia declined in recent months, as a result of lower prices of competing products.

Prices are expected to stay relatively low in coming months as well.

TILAPIA

Chinese production improving

Chinese tilapia production recovered in the fi rst half

of 2009, after the very diffi cult winter last year. Chinese

tilapia exports grew as a result, with 60 000 tonnes

exported in the fi rst four months of 2009, 9% more than

last year. The USA is by far the largest importer of Chinese

tilapia. In this period some 35 000 tonnes of tilapia were

imported from China, some 17% more than in the same

period of 2008.

Exports

Tilapia: China

..........Jan-Dec.......... .....Jan-Apr.....

2006 2007 2008 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

USA 104.7 122.0 118.6 29.7 34.8

Mexico 32.9 39.3 36.5 11.1 13.4

Russia 5.5 19.3 17.1 4.7 2.7

Israel 3.7 4.1 4.2 0.7 na

Germany 1.7 1.2 1.7 0.6 0.7

Hong Kong 1.7 1.5 0.3 0.1 0.1

Belgium 1.4 1.4 2.3 0.5 0.6

Puerto Rico 1.3 1.3 1.7 0.4 0.2

Dominican Rep. 1.0 1.4 0.5 0.0 0.0

Canada 1.0 0.7 0.6 0.2 0.1

Others 26.9 23.0 40.9 7.4 7.8

Total 181.8 215.2 224.4 55.4 60.4

Source: GLOBEFISH

Mexico is a distant second, taking 13 000 tonnes

in the January-April 2009 period, a 20% increase over

2008. The Mexican government is trying to fi nd ways of

reducing the infl ux of Chinese tilapia into its market.

However, this is not an easy task. The sanitary conditions

of the product are excellent, and Mexican supermarkets

prefer the imported tilapia to the domestic tilapia, as the

consistency of the product is far better. The only solution

would be an indication of origin on the packaging, but

there is no law imposing this type of labeling regulation.

US demand for tilapia was sluggish in the fi rst

months of 2009. China sent less tilapia to the US market

in the second quarter of the year. Despite this decline

in supply, prices of frozen tilapia fi llets continued to

decline. At present, the price has reached USD 2.00/lb,

Imports

Fresh Tilapia Fillets: USA

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Ecuador 10.9 11.9 8.5 3.4 2.6 2.6

Honduras 7.3 7.9 8.3 1.0 1.5 1.5

Costa Rica 2.7 4.8 5.6 2.2 2.2 1.6

China 0.0 0.0 3.1 0.0 0.3 0.0

Taiwan PC 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.0

Brazil 1.0 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1

El Salvador 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.0

Panama 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 0.9 1.1 2.1 0.3 0.7 0.6

Total 23.1 26.2 29.2 7.1 7.6 6.4

Source: GLOBEFISH

Unit value

Tilapia exports: China

Source: elaborated from National Trade Statistics

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

frozen whole

frozen fillets

other tilapia

Average


TILAPIA

Wholesale price

Tilapia fi llets: USA

Source: GLOBEFISH

*) fresh: origin South America, frozen: origin China

20% less than last year. In contrast tilapia export prices

from China show a positive trend in the fi rst four months

of the year.

Imports

Whole Frozen Tilapia: USA

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

China 40.5 32.5 29.0 11.7 7.7 5.2

Taiwan PC 18.3 13.5 15.9 3.6 3.8 4.0

Ecuador 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.9 0.0

Hong Kong 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Thailand 0.6 0.2 3.3 0.0 0.0 0.5

Panama 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

Indonesia 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.2

Total 60.8 46.9 49.6 15.4 12.7 9.9

Source: GLOBEFISH

US imports of tilapia were 44 000 tonnes in the fi rst

three months of 2009, slightly below the corresponding

2008 fi gure. While frozen tilapia imports expanded,

lower volumes of fresh fi llet entered the country. China

continued to be the main supplier to the US market with

30 000 tonnes shipped in the fi rst quarter of 2009, or 75%

of total US tilapia imports.

Imports

Frozen Tilapia Fillets: USA

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

China 63.3 87.5 87.2 22.0 23.2 24.4

Indonesia 7.1 8.6 9.6 2.0 2.3 2.3

Taiwan PC 3.1 2.6 2.1 0.7 0.6 0.6

Thailand 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

Ecuador 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.3

Viet Nam 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Panama 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0

Brazil 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.3 0.0

Others 0.3 1.2 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.3

Total 74.4 100.6 100.6 25.1 26.5 27.9

Source: GLOBEFISH

Imports

Tilapia (by product form): USA

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Whole frozen 60.8 46.9 49.6 15.4 12.7 9.9

Frozen fi llets 74.4 100.6 100.6 25.1 26.5 27.9

Fresh fi llets 23.1 26.2 29.2 7.1 7.6 6.4

Total 158.3 173.7 179.4 47.6 46.8 44.2

Source: GLOBEFISH

Latin American producers reported disease

problems, which led to lower fresh tilapia fi llet supplies

to the US market. In addition, prices of fresh tilapia

fi llets in the US market were very unattractive, leading

to reduced interest by producers to sell to this market.

Very often the domestic market offered higher prices,

so producers reverted to this outlet. Tilapia producers

are also attractively promoting the EU market for their

products; however, there the competition from Asia is

diffi cult to overcome.

Tilapia to stay a cheap competitor on whitefi sh

market

Tilapia production will be higher this year than in

2008, simply because Chinese production has returned

to normal and new companies are investing in tilapia

aquaculture. The supply from the Latin American

continent will be lower, but Asia will be able to amply

substitute for these shortcomings. Prices are likely to

stay at their present and low levels.

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5


US$/lb

frozen*

fresh*


Outlook positive for pangasius

During the fi rst months of 2009 pangasius was under pressure, as Russia and Egypt

banned imports. In addition, negative press coverage in Italy and Germany scared con-

sumers away from buying of pangasius. All over the world, local fi shermen are com-

plaining that the fi sh from Viet Nam is creating unwanted competition by undercutting

prices substantially. At the moment, it is probably the only fi llet on offer in Europe

below EUR 10.00/kg. On the other hand, because of low prices paid to pangasius farm-

ers in 2008, the area devoted to breeding has been reduced.

PANGASIUS

In the Mekong Delta, Viet Nam’s major pangasius

breeding region, the area devoted to breeding the fi sh

was reduced by 600 hectares, to 5 240 hectares at the

end of last year. In provinces that are leading producers

of pangasius, such as An Giang and Dong Thap, 30% of

the ponds are lying unused after farmers suffered losses

because of oversupply last year.

As a result of the reduction in supply, prices were

moving upwards in the opening months of the year, both

in Viet Nam and in the European market. This price

hike came to a stop in May 2009, as competing species

reported declining price levels. Prices of pangasius at

source began to decline sharply.

After 10 years of developing pangasius breeding

and processing, the fi sh is exported to 107 markets. Viet

Nam plans to produce between 1.3 million tonnes and 1.5

million tonnes, and export USD 1.5 billion worth of the

pangasius products in 2009. Last year, the Mekong Delta

produced 1.2 million tonnes and exported 633 000 tonnes

of pangasius products worth USD 1.4 billion.

In the fi rst four months of this year, Viet Nam

earned USD 375 million from exporting 163 000 tonnes

of pangasius, a slight decrease compared with the same

period last year. In terms of quantity, exports were more

or less stable. The main export recipient was the EU

with 65 000 tonnes, or 40% of the total. Within the EU,

Spain is the major importer of pangasius from Viet Nam,

reporting a 10% increase in its imports. In the present

economic situation, the Spanish consumer prefers the

relatively cheap pangasius fi llet over more expensive

traditional products.

The distribution of benefi ts in the value chain for

pangasius, from the small scale fi sh farmer in Viet Nam,

to processing in relatively large processing companies,

to fi nally being offered for sale in the European market

is quite informative. As reported in a French TV

documentary, of the fi nal sales price of EUR 7.00/kg, 10%

goes to fi sh farmer, 10% to the fi sh collector, 20% to the

processor, 20% to the trader and the remaining 40% to

the retailer.

Exports

Pangasius: Viet Nam

...............Jan-Dec............... .....Jan-April.....

2005 2006 2007 2008 2008 2009

(1000 tonnes)

EU 55.2 123.2 172.8 224.3 63.2 64.3

Russia na 42.7 48.7 118.2 28.0 0.0

Ukraine na na 23.0 74.4 11.5 12.4

Asean 22.0 28.5 33.8 34.0 12.2 13.2

China & HK 16.5 17.7 18.2 18.5 5.4 5.6

USA 14.8 24.3 21.2 24.2 10.7 11.4

Mexico 6.6 9.8 14.3 23.2 7.3 7.6

Egypt na na 6.3 26.6 7.7 8.1

Others 25.6 40.4 48.7 97.6 16.6 40.3

Total 140.7 286.6 387.0 640.8 162.6 162.9

Exports resume in major markets

Egypt has affi rmed its offi cial resumption of granting

permits for Vietnamese pangasius to be exported to

Egypt. Recently, incorrect information about Vietnamese

pangasius was published in Egyptian newspapers,

implying that pangasius was unsafe for consumers. The

misinformation resulted in negative perceptions by

Egyptian consumers, forcing the Egyptian Embassy in

Hanoi to halt temporarily the granting of permits to local

traders to export pangasius to Egypt. Egypt is the sixth

most important market for pangasius and imported some

26 600 tonnes in 2008.

Viet Nam plans to export 100 000 tonnes of pangasius

to Russia this year, after that country lifted an import

ban in April 2009. Last year 118 000 tonnes of the fi sh

were shipped to Russia before pangasius imports were

prohibited in late December 2008. It was put in place after

some shipments of Vietnamese seafood were found to be

contaminated with banned chemicals. Russian authorities

also claimed that Vietnamese exporters progressively

lowered prices to compete with one another, hurting

Source: Vietfi sh


PANGASIUS

Russian importers. Russian authorities have now fi xed a

minimum price of RUB 78/kg (USD 2.30/kg) a kilogram.

Violators will be fi ned USD 50 000 and banned from

importing Vietnamese seafood.

At the end of June 2009, Viet Nam had exported

over 10 000 tonnes of tra and basa fi sh at USD 3.10/kg to

Russia since 25 April 2009 when Russia offi cially reopened

its market to Vietnamese fi sh. In July alone, another

15 000 tonnes of fi sh are expected to be shipped to

Russia, as a number of Russian importers asked for more

of pangasius from Viet Nam in the form of both packaged

fi llet and whole fi sh. Apart from Russia, demand from

many other foreign importers such as East European,

African and American countries is strong.

In May 2009 the New Zealand Federation of

Commercial Fishermen attacked a government move

to allow the import of catfi sh from Viet Nam, saying

it could dominate the fi sh and chips trade and ruin

the local industry. The market for New Zealand’s hoki

dropped by 90% when Vietnamese catfi sh imports were

allowed into Australia.

US imports of catfi sh (including pangasius) declined

somewhat in the fi rst three months of the year: some

11 500 tonnes were imported during the fi rst quarter

of 2009, 7% less than in the same period of 2008. While

Viet Nam, the top exporter of catfi sh to the US market

reported a modest increase in exports, Chinese catfi sh

exports dropped sharply, probably in reaction to more

strict sanitary controls by US inspectors.

New standard for pangasius

On 29 April 2009 Global GAP, announced its new

pangasius and tilapia standards, which were published

after having been tested on fi sh farms. The development

of the pangasius standard started in Viet Nam, the main

producing country. Supported by German Technical

Cooperation (GTZ), the working group presented a fi rst

draft proposal to GlobalGAP. The draft standard was

subject to trial audits on six farms and stakeholder

consultation.

The US International Trade Commission announced

in June 2009 that it would keep the tariff on frozen fi llets

of Vietnamese catfi sh, known in the US as ‘basa’ and

‘tra,’ afraid that lifting the duty would harm the domestic

catfi sh industry within a ‘reasonably foreseeable time.’

This decision did not come as a surprise. At present,

Vietnamese exporters are more concerned with an

upcoming decision as to whether to reclassify basa and

tra as catfi sh under the US farm bill. Imported catfi sh

is subject to more severe testing for antibiotics than

pangasius.

Prices of pangasius likely to increase further

The decline in production

of pangasius in Viet Nam

will result in a substantial

shortages in raw material,

and, at least in the near

future, a substantial increase

in price. The economic crisis

in Spain, which is having

negative implications for

many other fi sh species, will

result in more demand for

pangasius, well known as a

relatively cheap fi sh. In the

US market, the situation

might become diffi cult if

basa and tra were classifi ed

as catfi sh.

Imports

Frozen catfi sh: USA

.....................................Jan-Mar...................................

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Viet Nam 0.1 1.2 1.3 3.8 5.1 6.8

China 0.2 0.4 0.9 5.7 4.7 2.6

Thailand 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.5 1.3 1.5

Malaysia 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.5 0.4 0.0

Indonesia 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.0

Others 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.6

Total 0.3 1.7 3.8 11.8 12.3 11.5

Source: GLOBEFISH

EU39%

Russia0%

Mexico5%

Egypt5%

Others25%

Other34%

China & HK3% USA

7%Asean8%

Ukraine8%

Pangasius exports - in quantity terms


Disastrous situation for Nile perch

Nile perch resources are under stress and production is going down. The three producing

countries report lower exports of fi llets to the EU, the main market for this product. In

2008, shipments to the EU declined by 10 000 tonnes, and further reduction is likely

this year. Prices are going down, as the competition of cheap pangasius is felt. In this

bleak environment, the only hope is adding value to the product, through certifi cation

schemes.

NILE PERCH

Nile perch resources are dwindling. The Lake Victoria

Fisheries Organization (LVFO) estimates that the Nile

perch stock was down from 1.9 million tonnes in 1999

to 370 000 tonnes last year. Catches of Nile perch are

now controlled and several management measures are in

place. Unfortunately, some illegal fi sheries that escape

control do occur on the lake. Without doubt, an important

role could be played by the processing industry, if they

refused to buy from unknown suppliers.

Naturland, a German eco-certifi er announced in

April 2009 that Lake Victoria Nile perch from specifi c

sites has now been certifi ed sustainable, and products

will carry the organization’s ecolabel in future. The

certifi cation covers about eight landing sites in the

western region of Lake Victoria and involves about

1 000 fi shermen, in Bukoba, Tanzania. Products from the

area will be both frozen and chilled fi llets. They will be

marketed initially in German-speaking countries. It is an

interesting initiative, as it will give certifi cation to small

scale fi sheries, generally excluded from the main stream

of eco-certifi cation. The initiative was in part fi nanced by

the German development assistance GTZ.

The guidelines for sustainability set by Naturland

focus on environmentally friendly use of fi sh stocks

and the entire ecosystem, avoidance of critical and

environmentally-harmful fi shing methods, ecologically-

sound processing without artifi cial additives or genetic

engineering and a publicly-open, transparent approval

process for all parts of the value chain. In addition to

sustainability standards and criteria for local conditions,

Naturland’s certifi cation process requires social criteria

compliance so the livelihood of the fi shermen and their

families as well as processing workers are safeguarded.

Nile perch exports to the EU dwindling

Total Nile perch exports to the EU last year were

42 300 tonnes, 10 000 tonnes less than in 2007. Tanzania

continues to be the main exporter of this product to the

EU market, accounting for more than half of the supply

of this species to the market. Exports dropped in 2008 by

more than 4 000 tonnes. Uganda reported even stronger

declines in exports, -5 000 tonnes. Uganda is thus in a

very diffi cult situation, as the country has invested a

considerable amount in processing facilities in recent

years. Fresh fi llets are the main Nile perch product

imported by the EU, with about 32 000 tonnes in 2008.

The existing trade links for fresh fi llet exports are well

developed and the quality is very high. In anticipation

of lower availability of Nile perch, perhaps this trade

experience could be applied to other products, especially

tilapia fi llets from aquaculture.

Imports

Nile Perch fi llets: EU

................Jan-Dec................ ......Jan-Mar......

2005 2006 2007 2008 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Kenya 5.2 4.2 5.1 4.0 1.2 0.8

Tanzania 24.0 23.6 27.5 23.3 6.1 5.0

Uganda 23.8 21.2 20.2 15.0 4.4 3.0

Grand Total 53.0 48.9 52.8 42.3 11.7 8.8

Source: GLOBEFISH

The fi rst quarter of 2009 saw a further decline in

exports of Nile perch fi llets to the EU market. Some 8 800

tonnes were exported, almost 3 000 tonnes less than in

the same period of last year. The drop in the volume of

exports was almost equally distributed across the three

exporting countries.

The outlook is bleak, as it will take the resource quite

some time to recover. Despite the lack in supply, prices

of Nile perch are going down. This is mainly caused by

the strong competition of pangasius fi llets in the market.

Prices are relatively low at the moment at EUR 6.20/kg,

which compares with EUR 7.00/kg one year ago.

NILE PERCH NEWS

OVERFISHING ‘ANNIHILATING’ UGANDA’S NILE PERCH

Overfi shing on Lake Victoria has seen Nile perch stocks drop 81%

to 370 000 tonnes in 2008 from 2 million tonnes three years ago,

“annihilating” the species, Uganda said on 16 April 2009. Fishing

is one of Uganda’s leading export earners. The east African nation

boasts four major lakes -- Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake George and

Lake Kyoga. Uganda’s fi sheries ministry said the price of Nile

Perch was rising, but earnings still dropped to USD 115 million last

year from a record of USD 143 million in 2005. Source: REUTERS


The European market for bass and bream is surprisingly good

at present

Supplies of bream are lower than previously expected and prices are stable. This is un-

usual for the season because in most years, when new supplies come to market in June

and July prices fall as a result. Bass prices on the other hand are somewhat weaker in

July for sizes up to 600 grams. Price reductions are not large however, between 2 and

5% from last month. Large sized bass and bream are both in short supply with prices

up as much as 10%.

SEABASS, SEABREAM AND MEAGRE

Meagre: a new farmed species on the European market

A newcomer in the arena is the relatively recently farmed

species, meagre (Argyrosomus regius), known as corvina

in Spain, as ombrina, corvina or boccadoro in Italy, and

meagre in France. Juveniles are produced in France and the

on-growing companies are among the traditional producers

of bass and bream. The market for corvina (meagre/

ombrina) is expanding in line with the rising production in

Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, France and

Spain. Domestic demand is good but the bulk of production

is destined for export markets, Italy in particular. A fast-

growing fi sh with a delicate fl esh, the meagre lends itself

to value-addition to a larger extent than bass and bream.

For the moment however it is sold in the fresh market at

around 2-3 kg.

Present production is estimated at between 2 500 and

3 000 tonnes per year but the more optimistic forecasts

indicate rapid growth over the next few years to between

10 000 and 20 000 tonnes. If these volumes should

materialise, there is certainly going to be a need for

concerted marketing and communication strategies. If

not, the species risk being sold on price alone to a mostly

uninformed public. Maybe the setting up of a pan-European

meagre producers association could be the fi rst step?

For both species, lack of reliable production and

trade statistics continue to hamper the industry’s devel-

opment. Planning becomes more diffi cult for the com-

panies involved with increased uncertainty and risk and

with considerable swings in prices.

In particular, this is the case for Greek exports to Italy

where most analysts estimate that signifi cant quantities

are exported under the non-specifi ed species category

and not as bass or bream. These quantities also include

re-exports by Greek companies from Turkey.

New market growth in Italy

Although most analysts believe that the import sta-

tistics for Italy (and Greek export statistics) seriously un-

der-represent the real quantities and values of bass and

bream imported to the country, the offi cial statistics are

those that have to be relied on for trends in imports.

And the offi cial statistics show new growth in 2009 from

2008. Last year, however, was a diffi cult year in the Ital-

Imports

Fresh Seabream and Seabass: Italy

(value)

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(million Euro)

Seabream

(dentex/pagellus)

Greece 8.3 6.4 7.6 1.4 1.4 1.0

Total 13.3 12.4 12.2 2.2 2.6 2.6

Seabream

(gilthead)

Greece 42.7 52.9 44.7 10.2 9.9 10.3

Turkey 2.9 5.2 5.7 1.4 1.1 1.2

Total 57.7 71.0 61.2 13.4 13.1 14.0

Seabass

Greece 43.8 57.5 44.3 11.3 9.7 9.2

Turkey 16.9 17.8 26.6 4.9 2.7 3.8

Total 82.0 98.5 88.4 20.9 18.1 18.5

Gr.Total 153.0 181.9 161.9 36.5 33.8 35.1

Source: ISTAT

ian market with imports falling for the fi rst time. On the

other hand 2009 fi gures for the fi rst quarter show volumes

rising by 8% and values up 4%. Greece has consolidated

its position as the key supplier to the market followed by

Turkey. In the bass segment Turkey is now gaining market

share going from 17 to 28% of the market. One reason

for this is that many Greek producers preferred to grow

bream over bass because of the higher growth rates.

In Italy, supply from Greece and Turkey (and a

number of smaller players) is supplemented by local pro-

duction. Italian produce is always preferred in the mar-

ket and receives somewhat higher prices thanks to its

local origin and higher degree of perceived freshness. In

fact, where Italian producers have managed to cooper-

ate and organise common marketing and sales structures

with regular supplies guaranteed throughout the year,

prices obtained are signifi cantly higher than those paid

for imports. The producers of bass and bream situated in

the Orbetello area just north of Rome are an outstanding

example of this type of cooperation.



Imports

Fresh Seabream and Seabass: Italy

(quantity)

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

( 1000 tonnes)

Seabream

(dentex/pagellus)

Greece 1.7 1.4 1.4 0.3 0.4 0.3

Total 2.3 2.0 2.0 0.4 0.6 0.4

Seabream

(gilthead)

Greece 9.5 13.1 14.1 2.4 2.9 3.1

Turkey 0.8 1.5 1.9 0.4 0.4 0.4

Total 12.8 16.8 18.3 3.1 3.6 4.0

Seabass

Greece 9.5 12.6 9.8 2.7 2.1 2.0

Turkey 4.6 4.4 3.6 1.3 0.6 1.1

Total 16.8 20.3 16.4 4.7 3.6 4.0

Gr.Total 31.9 39.1 36.7 8.2 7.8 8.4

Source: ISTAT

Spain

Total Spanish imports fell drastically in the fi rst quar-

ter as a refl ection of the country’s severe economic prob-

lems. Bream imports held up well almost unchanged from

2008 whereas bass import volumes dropped by 65%.

Imports

Seabream and Seabass: Spain

(value)

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(million Euro)

Seabream

(all species)

France 1.2 2.2 1.0 0.4 0.7 0.6

Greece 21.4 23.2 25.5 4.1 7.2 7.4

Morocco 3.1 2.0 3.4 0.6 0.4 0.4

Total 29.1 34.4 33 6.0 10.1 9.4

Seabass

France 5.6 5.7 6.1 1.3 1.5 0.1

Greece 15.1 17.6 22.8 5.0 5.1 3.1

Morocco 1.5 1.3 2.0 0.4 0.2 0.2

Turkey 13.9 15.0 7.7 4.3 2.9 3.1

Total 38.3 42.5 43.3 12.7 10.6 8.1

Gr. Total 67.4 76.9 76.3 18.7 20.7 17.5

Source: Spanish national statistics

Imports

Seabream and Seabass: Spain

(quantity)

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

( 1000 tonnes)

Seabream

(all species)

France 0.1 1.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1

Greece 5.1 5.6 6.7 1.0 2.1 2.3

Morocco 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1

Total 6.4 8.6 9.5 1.4 2.9 2.8

Seabass

France 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.2

Greece 3.7 4.0 3.7 1.4 1.2 0.7

Morocco 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0

Turkey 3.5 3.6 2.3 1.2 0.7 0.8

Total 8.2 8.7 6.9 4.3 5.1 1.8

Gr. Total 16.7 17.3 16.4 5.7 8.0 4.6

Source: Spanish national statistics

France: imports up in fi rst quarter

The French market is still relatively robust with im-

port volumes growing from 2008. In fact both volumes

(+24%) and values (+7%) were up, with Greece and Spain

as the largest suppliers.

Imports

Seabream and Seabass: France

(value)

............Jan-Dec............ ............Jan-Mar............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(million Euro)

Seabream

(dentex/pagellus)

Greece 2.8 2.9 2.5 0.8 0.5 0.6

Total 7.5 5.6 4.8 1.7 1.0 1.1

Seabream

(gilthead)

Greece 11.4 13.6 15.8 2.4 3.3 4.0

Spain 4 5.9 5.4 1.3 1.2 1.1

Total 16.5 20.2 22.4 3.8 4.7 5.3

Seabass

Greece 11.2 12.6 14.4 2.6 2.9 2.6

UK 1.6 1.3 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.2

Total 17.4 19.7 22.9 3.5 4.5 4.5

Gr. Total 41.4 45.5 50.1 9.0 10.2 10.9

Source: French national statistics



Prices

Seabass and Seabream: CIF Italy

Source: EPR; GLOBEFISH AN 10512, 10514

fresh whole 300-450 gr/pc, origin Greece

UK market continues to grow

The positive development in the UK market for bass

and bream over the least few years, has been one of the

best examples of market expansion for the two species.

And despite the tough times in the UK economy this year

has seen a further increase in imports.

Production

Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax): World

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009*

(1000 tonnes)

Greece 36.0 40.0 43.0 48.0 42.0

Turkey 21.1 30.0 33.0 35.0 32.0

Italy 8.6 9.1 10.0 9.0 9.0

France 4.3 5.6 5.0 4.0 4.0

Spain 5.5 8.9 11.0 11.0 10.0

Egypt 5.3 2.1 3.0 2.0 2.0

Croatia 1.9 1.6 2.0 2.0 2.0

Portugal 1.5 1.4 2.0 2.0 2.0

Tunisia 0.6 0.5 1.0 1.0 1.0

Others 0.7 0.6 1.0 1.0 1.0

Total 85.5 99.8 111.0 115.0 105.0

Source: GLOBEFISH (*) Estimates

Production

Seabream (Sparus aurata): World

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009*

(1000 tonnes)

Greece 44.0 60.0 72.0 90.0 88.0

Turkey 17.5 22.5 28.0 32.0 31.0

Spain 15.6 20.2 23.0 25.0 25.0

Italy 8.5 8.9 9.0 9.0 9.0

Egypt 5.7 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0

Israel 3.4 2.8 3.0 3.0 3.0

Portugal 2.5 1.6 2.0 2.0 2.0

Croatia 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

France 1.9 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.0

Others 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.0 3.0

Total 102.8 125.0 146.0 170.0 167.0

Source: GLOBEFISH (*) Estimates

Production expected to decline

Production volumes of bream in 2009 are now ex-

pected to be much less than previously forecast for the

year. There are two major reasons for this. First of all,

earlier projections were based on industry estimates of

biomass. These fi gures turned out to be overestimated.

Secondly, cash fl ow problems in many companies

will force producers to harvest early at lower average

weights. This will bring down total volumes but also sig-

nifi cantly damage company profi ts.

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

5.00

5.50

6.00


€/kg

Seabass

Seabream

Imports

Seabream: UK

............Jan-Mar............

2008 2009

(tonnes)

Greece 237 191

Netherlands 25 151

France 57 117

Italy 49 68

Morocco 56 0

Ireland 3 3

Denmark 6 0

Others 16 29

Total 447 559

Imports

Seabass: UK

............Jan-Mar............

2008 2009

(tonnes)

Greece 705 451

Netherlands 146 377

Italy 147 240

France 269 201

Ireland 5 4

Others 1 152

Total 1271 1425



As a result, supplies of bream in particular seem

to be more in balance with demand for the rest of the

year. Bass production fi gures are also considered stable

although some companies may have increased their bass

volumes given the low price of bream late last year.

Overall, tight liquidity will probably have the largest

effect on production as fewer juveniles are reportedly

now in the sea than in 2008. Somewhat fi rming prices

therefore could be the result for the rest of 2009.

Trade: Value-addition next step in increasing

trade

Greece and Turkey continue to be the largest

exporters with Italy, Spain and France as the largest

importers. Italy is by far the largest market and is

supplied by domestic producers as well as by imports.

New markets have developed especially in Russia and the

UK, but also in the US.

Although seabass and seabream continue to fi nd

new favour with consumers also in northern Europe, the

relatively high price and low yields have made it diffi cult

for the species to penetrate non-Mediterranean consumer

segments or restaurant segments. In this respect, bass

has been more successful than bream as the bass is better

known in northern Europe as a fi sh from capture fi sheries,

especially in the UK, and therefore already known by

many consumers.

Most European trade in bass and bream so far is in

whole fi sh and not in value-added products. Over time

this will change as more and more companies are looking

into production of fi llets and other types of value-added

products. The obstacle to more value-added products has

been one of economics as the low yield has made the

processed product too expensive. However, relative price

compared with other farmed species is an important

factor, and with the current high prices of farmed salmon,

bass and bream become more competitive in the market.

They cost far more of course than imported species from

Asia such as tilapia or catfi sh, but these operate in the

frozen market whereas bass and bream are sold fresh to

both retail and restaurants.

Outlook: Supply and demand in balance

Demand for bass and bream is holding up in all

markets except for Spain. Of course, prices and margins

are under pressure with producers also suffering from

tight credit and lack of liquidity. Supply looks as if it will

be lower than only a few months ago as many producers

have stocked less than expected and are harvesting

earlier: a market in balance is therefore predicted for

the rest of the year.

SEABASS AND SEABREAM NEWS

GREECE: SEABASS AND SEABREAM OUTLOOK - CONSOLIDATION

GOOD FOR SECTOR

Industry consolidation and reduced production will see the top

seabass and seabream producers have a good 2009, industry

executives say. According to executives at Greece-based companies

Nireus and Dias, the world’s largest and third-largest producers,

the industry has come out of the worst over 2008 and early 2009,

and should continue to rebound over the rest of this year. “Reports

show that in 2008 market size grew by 11% compared to 2007.

While in the fi rst quarter of 2009 we saw a decrease of about

6%,” Stefanos Manellis,vice president of Dias, told IntraFish.

While the overall market size declined, Dias increased sales in

the fi rst quarter of this year by 20.2% compared to 2008. The

rock bottom price for bream seen last year, caused by massive

overproduction and supply, is rebounding in 2009. Although prices

were relatively low during the fi rst quarter of 2009, they have

since risen dramatically.The price for seabass is “holding” at a

“satisfactorily level while increased demand is observed as bream

bass prices reach equal levels,” said Manellis. Source: INTRAFISH

GREECE: DIAS PROFITS HIT BY SEABREAM DROP OFF

Industry consolidation and reduced production saw the top Greek

farmer Dias Group post a large jump in fi rst quarter 2009 sales

but profi t shrink due to falling seabream prices. The bass and

bream farmer reported revenue of EUR 24.3 million (USD 34.4

million), up 20% on 2008. EDITDA felt slightly to EUR 3.9 million

(USD 5.5 million), down from EUR 4.7 million (USD 6.6 million)

in the same period last year, due mainly to the low price of

bream in this period. Pre-tax proft registered at EUR 1.8 million

(USD 2.5 million), a reduction of 42% from the earnings in fi rst

quarter 2008. The company said it had managed to maintain cash

fl ow and increase revenue despite falling prices and the global

economy, and pay off some of its bank debt. The group went on

to say it was confi dent for the year ahead. Source: INTRAFISH

GREECE: NIREUS GROUP’S 1Q 2009 SALES UP, EARNINGS DOWN

Nireus Group on 29 May 2009 reported an operating EBIT (earning

before interest and taxes) of EUR 886 000 (USD 1.26 million) in the

fi rst quarter of 2009, down from EUR 3.1 million (USD 4.4 million)

during the same period in 2008. However, the Greek fi sh-feed and

farmed-fi sh producer posted sales of EUR 40.3 million (USD 57.2

million) in the fi rst quarter of this year, up from EUR 39.4 million

(USD 56 million) last year. The 13% increase in sales volume was

not refl ected in sales value due to low sea bream prices in the

fi rst quarter of this year. Founded on the Greek island of Chios

in 1988, Nireus is the Mediterranean Sea’s largest fi sh farmer and

the world’s largest seabream and seabass producer, exporting its

products to more than 35 countries worldwide. The vertically

integrated company operates 64 fi sh farms, six hatcheries, two

processing facilities, 16 packaging and distribution facilities and

two fi sh-feed manufacturing plants. Source: SEAFOODSOURCE

CHILE: CORVINA - THE NEWEST AQUACULTURE STAR

Experts from the Chile Foundation have been working on a corvina

(Cilus gilberti) juveniles fattening-in-raft-pens project since

2007 in Region IV, Coquimbo. The initiative falls under a wider

Innova-Corfo project that aims to stimulate the diversifi cation

of domestic aquaculture activity and the commercial farming of

highly valued marine species in Coquimbo region and the greater

northern zone. For two years now, scientists participating in the

project have been aiming to obtain corvina juveniles weighing 40

g and to defi ne the production parameters for the pre-fattening

stage. According to the experts at Chile Foundation, corvina is

a species that “comes across as a great alternative” for Chilean

aquaculture. It has a wide distribution off Chilean coasts, its

meat is highly valued and it adapts easily to farm conditions. The

Chilean corvina is similar to the European meagre (Argyrosomus

regius), an in-demand species in Spain. Source: AQUA


World markets for Atlantic salmon are fi rm with tight supplies and high prices. Lack

of Atlantic salmon from Chile is diverting large quantities of Norwegian salmon to the

US market and as a consequence prices have risen also in Europe. Contrary to earlier

expectations, prices have not dropped during the summer months as demand in all

salmon markets remains surprisingly strong.

SALMON

Source: GLOBEFISH, FOB Miami, chilled

Prices

Salmon fi llets: USA, origin Chile

Demand is strong despite tight supply and

higher prices

The main factor infl uencing world salmon markets

is the persistent lack of supply of Atlantic salmon from

Chile. As reported in previous issues, this is caused by a

particular strain of the ISA virus attacking Atlantic salmon

(but not Pacifi c salmon or trout) and until a vaccine has

been developed producers will not restock, and supplies

from Chile therefore remain limited. In the mean time,

Norway in particular but also other producers such as

the UK, Ireland, the Faeroe Islands, the US and Canada

will continue to benefi t from tight market conditions and

high prices.

Although the farmed salmon sector usually weathers

economic downturns quite well, it is obvious that in the

present situation with weaker consumer demand in all

markets, the unexpectedly tight supply situation has

given a boost to producers in all countries, except Chile.

This highlights the need for further market development

in existing and new markets to be ready for the added

production coming to market when Chile is back in

force.

EU market growing

Demand for salmon in the EU market is relatively

good, underpinned by strong supermarket sales, although

margins are under pressure in all segments. Fresh sales

volumes in particular are strong as are smoked salmon

sales.

According to Norway’s 6 monthly export fi gures,

the EU imported a total of 266 000 tonnes (round weight

equivalent) of salmon from Norway, up 6 % in volume from

last year and 26 % in value. All major markets, except

Italy, showed growth, while Denmark remained stable.

Exports (value)

Salmon and Trout: Norway

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(bill. NOK)

Salmon 17.1 17.5 17.4 4.8 4.0 4.4

Fresh 12.6 13.1 13.9 3.2 3.1 3.6

Frozen 1.3 1.2 1.0 0.3 0.2 0.2

Fresh fi ll. 1.4 1.6 1.6 0.4 0.4 0.5

Froz. fi ll. 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.3 0.2 0.3

Trout 1.3 1.3 1.8 0.4 0.4 0.5

Source: Norwegian Seafood Export Council

Exports (quantity)

Salmon and Trout: Norway

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Salmon 494.4 585.4 598.6 137.6 144.4 151.8

Fresh 397.0 493.4 514.8 111.0 120.0 124.1

Frozen 37.8 42.9 33.7 9.4 7.3 6.3

Fresh fi ll. 27.5 33.3 35.3 7.4 8.6 10.7

Froz. fi ll. 18.0 15.8 14.8 4.6 3.1 4.9

Trout 46.9 58.8 76.8 11.3 16.3 16.3


Prices

Salmon: Europe, origin: Norway

Source: EPR; GLOBEFISH AN 10512, 10514

Fresh, gutted, head-on, 3-5 kg/pc

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

Jan

-04

Jul-0

4

Jan

-05

Jul-0

5

Jan

-06

Jul-0

6

Jan

-07

Jul-0

7

Jan

-08

Jul-0

8

Jan

-09

Jul-0

9

Euro/kg

€ 4.90

2.50

2.70

2.90

3.10

3.30

3.50

3.70

3.90

4.10

4.30

4.50

Jan-07 May-07 Sep-07 Jan-08 May-08 Sep-08 Jan-09 May-09

US$/lb


France, the largest single market, showed 11%

growth in the fi rst quarter of 2009, continuing a positive

trend now lasting decades. Norway was the leading

supplier, followed by the UK. It is interesting to note that

the growth is driven by positive developments for both

the fresh whole and the fresh and frozen fi llet segments.

Smoked salmon imports are also growing, especially from

Poland, which now supplies 68% of smoked imports. This is

a normal development given the increasing outsourcing of

processing to countries with lower labour costs. Likewise,

the market share of China in frozen fi llet imports has grown

to 25% although Chile still dominates this segment with 48%.

According to Norway’s 6 monthly export fi gures, France

imported a total of 60 000 tonnes (round weight equivalent)

of salmon from Norway, up 7 % in volume from last year

and 27 % in value.

Germany’s salmon imports bounced back in the

fi rst quarter of 2009 after a weak 2008, topping 2007

imports as well. As in France, it is the fresh segment that

is showing the strongest growth, in addition to smoked

salmon imports. However, much of the smoked salmon is

from German-owned companies based in Poland, which

have outsourced their processing facilities.

Imports

Salmon: France

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2005 2006 2007 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Freesh 88.9 86.2 88.5 17.7 20.8 23.1

Norway 60.2 59.1 63.3 12.6 14.7 16.2

UK 17.9 18.7 17.8 6.5 4.3 3.9

Frozen Pacifi c 5.7 5.9 5.3 0.8 0.8 0.7

USA 5.1 5.6 5.3 0.5 0.5 0.5

Frozen Atlantic 4.2 4.9 4.5 0.9 0.7 0.5

Smoked 3.8 5.0 4.1 0.7 1.0 1.2

UK 2.8 2.1 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.0

Fresh fi llets 5.0 5.2 5.0 1.2 1.3 2.0

Norway 3.9 4.3 3.6 0.7 1.2 1.8

Frozen fi llets 16.1 18.3 18.9 4.7 4.7 5.2

Chile 8.3 9.2 9.1 2.3 2.1 2.5

China 2.5 3.6 3.5 1.0 1.2 1.3

Grand Total 123.6 125.4 126.3 26.0 29.4 32.7


Imports

Salmon: Germany (by origin)

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Norway 48.9 48.9 40.7 13.8 9.8 12.0

Poland 13.7 15.5 19.4 4.9 3.0 8.2

Chile 15.7 14.5 13.3 4.0 6.1 3.5

China 8.6 10.9 12.3 2.7 3.0 2.8

Denmark 8.5 8.5 8.3 1.2 2.1 2.7

Others 16.1 12.0 10.2 2.7 2.4 2.2

Total 111.5 110.3 104.3 29.3 26.4 31.4


Imports

Salmon: Germany (by product)

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Fresh salm. 47.9 47.0 38.0 13.3 8.9 11.0

Frozen salm. 7.2 4.7 3.5 0.5 0.5 0.8

Smoked salm. 16.4 18.0 22.0 4.4 6.7 8.3

Fresh fi llets 6.5 6.2 6.2 1.5 1.6 1.8

Frozen fi llets 33.5 34.5 33.7 9.3 8.5 8.1

Salted salm. 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.4 0.0 0.0

Total 111.5 110.4 103.4 29.3 26.4 31.4


US salmon imports up again

The US market reported higher salmon imports in

the fi rst quarter (January-March) of 2009, marginally up

3% from 2008. Values were up 5 % in the same period.

For the fi rst fi ve months however, the increase was

less pronounced. During the January-May 2009 period

import values were up 2% and volumes up 1%. Chile

remains the main supplier although its exports fell back,

especially of fi llets, by about 32 %. However, as Chile is

now channelling as much as it can of its salmon to the US

and South American fresh market, Chile’s frozen exports

to other market have dropped by much more. Norway’s

fi llet exports to the US on the other hand increased

tremendously, up almost 500 % in the fi rst 5 months

Imports

Salmon: USA

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Fresh fi llets

Chile 71.8 80.1 76.4 20.1 19.9 16.5

Canada 6.3 4.2 5.4 1.0 1.3 1.0

Norway 2.6 2.3 2.3 0.6 0.6 2.3

Other 2.6 4.4 2.3 1.1 1.0 0.0

Total 83.3 90.1 86.3 22.8 22.8 21.1

All salmon 242.7 250.2 241.8 61.0 60.0 61.7


SALMON


SALMON

Exports (quantity)

Salmon and Trout: Chile

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Salmon 291.5 284.7 320.8 100.0 106.8 106.9

Frozen 201.7 183.4 212.4 73.6 78.0 83.2

Fresh 85.0 94.4 100.8 24.7 26.6 21.9

Canned 3.5 3.2 3.4 0.7 1.2 1.0

Salted 1.3 0.8 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.2

Smoked 2.6 2.9 3.3 0.8 0.7 0.7

Trout 93.3 111.1 124.8 31.4 32.1 30.2

Frozen 86.1 103.2 115.8 29.7 28.8 27.8

Fresh 1.0 3.1 5.5 0.5 2.3 1.6

Canned 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0

Salted 1.8 0.9 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Smoked 4.2 3.7 3.3 0.9 0.9 0.8

Total 384.8 395.8 445.6 131.4 138.7 137.1

Source: Boletín de Exportaciones del IFOP

according to NMFS statistics. In other words, Chile’s

market share in the fresh fi llet market dropped from

89 to 70 %, and Norway’s rose from 4 to 18%.


the US imported a total of almost 16 000 tonnes (round

weight equivalent) of salmon from Norway, up 200% from

last year and 276 % in value.

Japans salmon imports are falling

Imports by Japan in the fi rst quarter were drastically

down from last year by a signifi cant 16%. The drop was

concentrated in frozen salmon whereas fresh import

volumes were stable from 2008 (and 2007). The main

supplier to Japan is Chile whose exports fell 20% during

the quarter. Chile however exports both trout, and Pacifi c

and Atlantic salmon to Japan and the supply problems are

Imports

Salmon: Japan

..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Fresh

Atlantic 21.9 21.6 20.0 5.2 5.1 5.0

Norway 16.7 18.4 15.6 4.6 4.1 4.4

UK 0.8 1.4 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1

Australia 0.6 1.2 1.1 0.3 0.3 0.3

Pacifi c 1.1 0.9 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.2

Total 23.0 22.5 20.6 5.4 5.3 5.2

Frozen

Atlantic 2.9 2.4 4.4 0.6 0.5 2.7

Norway 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.2

Pacifi c 127.7 123.6 126.9 53.8 46.8 36.1

Canada 2.4 1.0 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.2

USA 19.2 20.2 18.1 3.0 3.2 2.1

N. Zealand 1.8 0.5 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.2

Chile 73.1 73.1 80.9 48.1 40.9 32.4

Russia 30.9 28.9 26.4 2.3 2.5 1.3

Total 130.6 126.0 131.3 54.4 47.3 38.8

Grand Total 172.8 153.6 148.5 59.8 52.6 44.0

Source: Japanese national import statistics

only related to Atlantics. Norway’s salmon exports were

only slightly up, showing a predilection for the US and

European markets.


Japan imported a total of almost 14 000 tonnes (round

weight equivalent) of salmon from Norway, up 8 % in

volume from last year and 29% in value.

South America a growing market for fresh

salmon

One of the most interesting aspects of salmon

marketing over the last few years has been the rapid

market growth in Chile’s own neighbourhood extending

from Argentina to Mexico. In fact, Chile’s exports of

salmon to South America continued to rise in the fi rst

quarter of 2009, reaching 12% of Chile’s total salmonid

export volumes, up from 7 % in 2007 and 9% in 2008. It

is the Brazilian fresh market in particular that has been

Exports (value)


..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(million USD)

Salmon 1694.8 1714.6 1797.0 554.8 497.9 540.5

Frozen 1088.2 1014.7 1085.0 361.6 320.7 391.2

Fresh 578.1 635.6 643.0 177.8 160.6 133.0

Canned 20.4 21.5 21.0 4.5 7.1 6.5

Salted 8.1 51.6 6.0 1.1 0.6 1.4

Smoked 30.5 36.7 42.0 9.8 8.9 8.3

Trout 483.9 523.4 594.0 159.3 130.8 161.8

Frozen 427.7 462.8 527.0 144.9 108.5 142.2

Fresh 7.6 19.0 32.0 3.6 12.3 10.4

Canned 1.0 1.1 1.0 0.5 0.6 0.1

Salted 8.6 4.4 1.0 1.2 0.0 0.0

Smoked 39.0 36.1 34.0 9.1 9.4 9.1

Total 2178.7 2238.0 2391.0 714.1 628.7 702.4



Exports (quantity)


..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Japan 148 146 163 63 68 69

USA 109 114 108 31 29 25

EU (25) 46 41 43 11 11 8

Lat.America 29 36 53 9 13 16

Others 54 60 79 18 18 18

Total 386 397 446 132 139 137


Exports (value)


..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(million USD)

Japan 704 648 708 276 227 328

USA 792 862 795 236 198 188

EU (25) 308 279 284 72 68 50

Lat.America 156 202 268 50 67 68

Others 246 258 335 81 68 69

Total 2206 2249 2391 715 629 702


Exports (unit value)


..........Jan-Dec.......... ..........Jan-Mar..........

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(USD/kg)

Salmon 5.8 6.0 5.6 5.6 4.7 5.1

Frozen 5.4 5.5 5.1 4.9 4.1 4.7

Fresh 6.8 6.7 6.4 7.2 6.2 6.1

Canned 5.8 6.7 6.2 6.4 5.9 6.6

Salted 6.1 7.0 6.7 5.5 6.0 7.9

Smoked 11.6 12.7 12.7 12.3 12.7 12.4

Trout 5.2 4.7 4.8 5.1 4.1 5.4

Frozen 5.2 4.5 4.6 4.9 3.8 5.1

Fresh 6.2 6.1 5.8 7.2 5.4 6.6

Canned 6.1 5.5 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.4

Salted 4.8 4.9 10.0 6.0 - 2.8

Smoked 9.2 9.8 10.3 10.1 10.4 11.4

Average 5.7 5.8 5.4 5.4 4.5 5.1


strong. This is caused by urbanisation and the presence of

large retailers in all metropolitan areas looking for steady

supplies of large volumes of fresh fi sh.

Production down in 2009 but by how much ?

With future Atlantic salmon production in Chile

linked to the successful development of a vaccine for

the particular strain of the ISA virus present in Chilean

waters, one can only hypothesise about the size of

Chile’s production of Atlantic salmon over the next years.

Some companies will undoubtedly increase production

of Coho salmon and trout in the meantime but the

overall supply of Atlantics will undoubtedly fall in 2009,

despite some growth in Norway and the other producing

countries. However, production volumes are linked to the

availability of farming licences and the allowed biomass

for each license, so even with all producers producing at

full capacity there is simply no space for any signifi cant

increase from present producers, unless new licenses

are granted. So, whatever the outcome, Atlantic salmon

supply should be in tight supply well into 2010 and probably

also beyond, with fi rm prices in world markets. However,

when Chile returns to the market with its normal volumes

of supply, prices are bound to suffer drastically unless

new markets are developed in the meantime.

Production

Farmed salmon: World

2006 2007 2008 2009* 2010*

(1 000 tonnes)

ATLANTIC SALMON

Norway 600 725 790 880 930

Chile 370 355 360 180 120

UK 125 140 145 150 170

Canada 115 110 110 120 140

Faeroe Is. 13 20 25 30 40

Australia 16 20 20 20 22

Ireland 15 15 15 15 18

USA 10 12 12 15 20

Others 3 3 3 5 5

Total 1267 1400 1480 1415 1465

PACIFIC SALMON

Japan 10 10 10 10 10

Chile 115 120 113 120 135

Canada 10 8 7 7 7

New Zealand 10 10 10 10 10

Total 145 148 140 147 162

Gr. Total 1412 1548 1620 1602 1627

Source: GLOBEFISH AN 12201 (*) estimate

SALMON


There is growing resistance, however, in the food

service sector to the rising prices. Indeed, it has been the

fairly stable prices and reliable supplies over the years

that have been behind the inroads of salmon in catering

channels in all major markets and made salmon a regular

feature in most mass market restaurants. With growing

salmon prices however, salmon is facing competition from

other species, in particular fi llets, mainly from tilapia

and catfi sh, as processors and restaurateurs are looking

for fair value fi sh products with popular appeal.

Trade – Chile’s problem, Norway’s advantage

Norwegian salmon exports for the fi rst six

months of 2009 rose 7% in volume to 367 000

tonnes (round weight equivalents) and value by a

massive 28.7 % to NOK 10.7 billion (EUR 1.2 billion).

Salmon export volumes rose in all markets (except Italy),

including surprisingly enough Spain and Japan where

consumer demand is sharply declining. In particular,

strong export growth was registered by the US with a 215

% rise in volumes and 276 % in values as the shortfall from

Chile was quickly fi lled by Norwegian exporters.

The rest of the year looks positive for Norwegian

producers. Stock market evaluations have increased

signifi cantly after the lows reached late last year, although

the largest companies continue to suffer losses on their

Chilean activities.

Chile’s salmon exports rose signifi cantly in 2008 as

harvesting was brought forward due to disease problems.

This continued in the fi rst quarter of 2009 with export

volumes equal to 2008. Values were also higher, thanks

to better prices. However, bringing harvesting forward

reduces yields as each harvested fi sh is much smaller

than planned for and there are fewer kilos available to

cover the fi xed costs. As a result, most Chilean companies

are suffering large losses with forced rescheduling of

their banking debts. And with lower volumes ready for

harvesting in 2009 and 2010, heavy job losses have taken

place in both farm management, processing and sales.

Chilean export problems therefore will remain an

issue in 2009 and 2010. Coho and trout exports will most

likely increase as producers are shifting out of Atlantics

but the overall supply from Chile will drop over the next

few years.

Outlook - Little change expected

For the rest of the year, the supply situation is

not expected to improve, rather the contrary. Chile’s

production for the last quarter will be much reduced and

Atlantic salmon prices are expected to remain high in

world markets at least until next year.

SALMON NEWS

WORLD: WWF SAYS SALMON ECO-LABEL DRAFT BY 2010

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says it expects to present the

fi rst draft of eco-labeling standards for farmed salmon in the

next year. The Norwegian Seafood Federation (FHL) is keeping

a close eye on the process initiated by the WWF, said spokes-

woman Ama Valland. FHL’s Kjell Maroni is representing the group

at the salmon aquaculture dialogues, whose aim is to produce

a separate WWF certifi cation of salmon WWF hopes can eventu-

ally become the industry’s offi cial quality label. “The process is

extensive and requires a lot of time and effort. But we under-

stand parts of the certifi cation statutes will be able to be pre-

sented in the course of 2010,” Valland said. Source: INTRAFISH

CANADA: TRUE NORTH SALMON EARNS ECO-LABEL

True North Salmon, a subsidiary of Cooke Aquaculture Inc, is now

offering eco-certifi ed Atlantic salmon in North America - the fi rst

company in Canada to do so. Acquiring the Seafood Trust Eco La-

bel meant the fi rm’s salmon product had to undergo third-party

audits by the International Food Quality Certifi cation in order to

ascertain that its quality is in line with the label’s strict stand-

ards. The Blacks Harbour-based company has branded the fi sh

Heritage Salmon, and expects that more of its products will earn

the eco-label soon. Eco-certifi cation was acquired after an 18-

month long audit by an independent body and the fulfi lment of

fi ve international requirements. The label informs customers that

the product was raised and processed sustainably. Source: NEW

BRUNSWICK BUSINESS JOURNAL

MARINE HARVEST SEES DROP IN GLOBAL 2009 SALMON PRODUC-

TION OF 7%, BECAUSE OF CHILE, MAJOR IMPACT ON USA

At a European investor conference in early June 2009, Henrik

Heiberg, VP Finance & Treasury for Marine Harvest, gave a presen-

tation on the company’s production outlook for the remainder of

the year, and for 2009 as a whole. In general, Norwegian salmon

production is surging 9% to 13% for 2009, from a base level of 667

000 tonnes of head on gutted product. However, this will not be

enough to make up the drastic shortfall from Chile, where from

2008 production of 359 000 tonnes, production is predicted to fall

as much as 67%, to a low of 120 000 tonnes. The primary market

impacted by this is the USA, since the US took about 60% of Chile’s

salmon exports in 2008. Source: SEAFOOD.COM

NORWAY: SALMON BIOMASS UP 11%

Norwegian fi sh farms held 11% more salmon at the end of April

2009 than at the same time last year. According to fi gures from

the Norwegian Seafood Federation (FHL), at the end of April the

average weight of fi sh was 1.5 kilos and total biomass was 419

841 tonnes. At the same time last year, the average weight in

farm cages was 1.6 kilos, while total biomass was 376 873 tonnes.

Source: INTRAFISH

NORWAY: SALMON ‘FACES GROWING COMPETITION FROM

CHICKEN’

The Norwegian salmon industry could see growing competition

from the chicken industry warns a former executive with the

world’s leading salmon company, Marine Harvest. Arne Hjeltnes,

until last year communications director of Marine Harvest and

also formerly Norway’s fi sh industry representative in South East

Asia, argues that salmon production is too low and unless it is

expanded, the price of salmon will continue to rise - leading con-

sumers to opt for cheaper chicken instead. In recent years, fi sh-

eating has gained ground as authorities have presented it as a

healthy alternative to other sources of protein. Norway’s salmon

farming potential is unlimited but the fi sh licensing system is too

restrictive, Hjeltnes told the Scandinavian online publication E24.

Source: WORLDFISH REPORT

SALMON


Mixed fortunes for small pelagics in fi rst quarter 2009

The fi rst quarter of the year is neither a main producing nor consuming period for small

pelagic fi sh. Production in the northern hemisphere only gets into full swing during the

second quarter of the year. As a result, trade in small pelagics was very limited. Over-

all, demand is expected to increase, as small pelagics are a rather low priced commod-

ity and therefore, an appropriate product for this period of crisis. In addition, health

aspects are becoming an important trigger for fi sh consumption, and pelagic fi sh make

ideal products to satisfy the demand for a healthy and affordable food product.

SMALL PELAGICS

Imports

Frozen Mackerel: Germany

.............Jan-Dec............. ...............Jan-Mar...............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Netherlands 1.3 1.9 2.0 0.2 0.2 0.2

UK 1.2 0.3 1.8 0.3 0.8 0.5

Denmark 0.7 1.4 1.4 0.7 0.4 0.4

Ireland 0.8 1.2 1.0 0.7 0.6 0.8

Others 2.0 0.4 1.8 0.3 0.1 0.3

Total 6.0 5.2 8.0 2.2 2.2 2.2


German imports of frozen mackerel increased by

+33% to 8 000 tonnes between 2006 and 2008. There

was a dip in imports in 2007 with only 5 200 tonnes

imported, a -13% drop on the 6 000 tonnes imported in

2006. The biggest volume of frozen mackerel imported

was from the Netherlands in all three years, with 2 000

tonnes received in 2008, accounting for 25% of total

imports for the year. The volume of imports from other

nations was subject to large year-on-year fl uctuations,

with imports from Denmark increasing by +97% to 1 400

tonnes between 2006 and 2008, and those from the UK

Imports

Frozen Herring: Germany

.............Jan-Dec............. ...............Jan-Mar...............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Norway 6.4 12.9 7.3 3.7 5.7 12.8

Denmark 17.9 4.1 10.8 0.7 3.8 1.3

Netherlands 2.4 2.7 1.7 0.4 0.7 0.7

Ireland 3.8 3.6 2.2 1.4 0.6 0.1

UK 3.3 7.0 2.7 4.1 0.8 0.0

Canada 0.5 5.2 3.6 2.3 3.2 2.5

Others 1.4 2.9 1.8 1.0 1.2 2.1

Total 35.7 38.4 30.2 13.6 16.0 19.5


increasing by +33% to 1 800 tonnes. The fi rst quarter of

2009 saw Ireland becoming the main supplier of frozen

mackerel to the German market. Netherlands will come

back as important exporter of frozen mackerel, once the

season starts again.

Between 2006 and 2008, German imports of frozen

herring fell by 15% from 35 700 tonnes to 30 200 tonnes,

but experienced an increase in 2007 to 38 400 tonnes.

Total imports in the fi rst quarter of 2009 were up by 30%

on 2007 volumes, and up 18% on 2008, thus showing a

steady increase during this period. Imports from Denmark

accounted for 50% of the overall volume in 2006 and 36%

in 2008, but just 11% in 2007, when the bulk of supply

switched to Norway. German imports of Canadian frozen

herring increased by +622% from just 500 tonnes in 2006

to 3 600 tonnes in 2008; although in 2007 there was 5

200 tonnes of this product imported. Imports from the UK

varied between around 9% in 2006 and 2008 to 18% (7 000

tonnes) in 2007, making up for some of the reduction in

imports from Denmark.

Imports

Canned sardine: Germany

.............Jan-Dec............. ...............Jan-Mar...............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Morocco 12.3 8.8 9.7 2.9 2.1 2.2

Netherlands 0.2 0.6 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.1

Portugal 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.1 0.4 0.0

Spain 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.3

Total 13.3 10.4 11.9 3.3 3.1 2.6


The volume of canned sardines imported by Germany

fell by 11% between 2006 and 2008 to 11 900 tonnes,

and the fi rst quarter imports in 2009 were also down by

27% compared with the same period in 2008. Germany

imported the majority of this product from Morocco,

although this country’s dominance of the market segment

went down from 92% in 2006 to 82% in 2008. The volume


SMALL PELAGICS

imported from other nations was fairly small, although

imports from Portugal grew by 120% to 700 tonnes over

the period, accounting for 6% of the volume in 2008.

Exports

Frozen Mackerel: Norway

...............Jan-Dec............... ...............Jan-Mar...............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Japan 45.0 119.7 118.1 3.5 5.0 4.8

China 25.4 60.2 66.3 7.2 6.6 4.1

Russ. Fed. 20.1 35.0 33.0 2.2 1.0 6.5

Turkey 8.0 26.0 20.8 2.6 4.0 4.9

Ukraine 10.6 39.2 20.6 5.2 1.9 3.5

Poland 4.8 4.3 12.2 0.2 1.0 2.5

Korea Rep. 4.7 14.8 6.2 1.4 0.1 3.4

Others 22.0 40.0 57.3 3.9 5.7 8.7

Total 140.6 339.2 334.5 26.2 25.3 38.4


Norwegian exports of frozen mackerel increased

by 138% from 140 600 tonnes in 2006 to 334 500 tonnes

in 2008. The highest overall volume exported during

the period was 339 200 tonnes in 2007. Total exports in

the fi rst quarter of 2009 were up 32% compared with the

same period in 2008 and 2007. The largest market for

Norwegian frozen mackerel was Japan, which accounted

for 38% of the growth in this market over the period.

The volume exported to Japan increased by 162%

from 45 000 tonnes in 2006 to 118 100 tonnes in 2008.

Norwegian exports of this product to China grew by 161%

to 66 300 tonnes in 2008, which increased its share of the

market from 18% in 2006 and 2007 to 20% in 2008.

Exports

Frozen Whole Herring: Norway

.............Jan-Dec............. ...............Jan-Mar...............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Russ. Fed. 150.6 207.5 163.4 69.7 57.0 60.1

Nigeria 3.1 20.1 138.5 14.2 70.1 55.5

Ukraine 88.2 89.2 79.4 29.9 39.1 41.7

Lithuania 9.5 11.3 15.3 4.3 6.4 9.8

Netherlands 12.9 15.7 13.0 2.5 2.7 3.2

Belarus 7.7 10.2 7.9 4.7 3.3 3.3

Poland 4.8 3.2 3.8 1.0 0.9 2.1

USA 1.4 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3

Others 44.6 42.5 69.9 15.6 24.5 22.7

Total 322.8 400.3 491.5 141.9 204.0 198.7


Exports of Norwegian frozen whole herring increased

in volume by 52% from 322 800 tonnes in 2006 to 491 500

in 2008, averaging a 23% year-on-year growth. The fi rst

quarter of 2009 also showed excellent growth compared

with 2007, but a slight drop on 2008, down from 204 000

tonnes to 198 700 tonnes. The Russian Federation was

the biggest export market for Norwegian exports of this

product. This market grew by 8% over the period to 163

400 tonnes in 2008;,however in 2007 it received 207 500

tonnes, which accounted for 52% of the 2007 exports.

Exports to Nigeria grew signifi cantly from just 3 100

tonnes in 2006 to 138 500 tonnes in 2008. The Ukraine

was a relatively stable market during the period, ranging

from 89 200 in 2007 to 79 400 in 2008. This meant that

the share of total exports going to the Ukraine fell from

27% in 2006 to 16% in 2008.

Imports

Fresh and Frozen Herring: Japan

..............Jan-Dec............... ...............Jan-Mar...............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

USA 27.6 16.1 21.4 0.0 0.2 0.1

Russia 9.0 5.9 8.1 2.3 4.1 2.7

Norway 4.5 3.9 4.3 2.8 2.6 2.0

Netherlands 1.3 0.8 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.6

Korea Rep 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.4

Canada 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Ireland 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Iceland 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0

Total 42.8 27.6 35.0 5.4 7.1 5.8


Imports of fresh and frozen herring into Japan fell

by 18% from 42 800 tonnes in 2006 to 35 000 tonnes in

2008, although the volume dropped to just 27 600 tonnes

in 2007. Japan imported most of these products from the

USA, which averaged 61% of the supply across the period,

with the next largest supplier being Russia, with 22% of

the volume, followed by Norway averaging 12% of supply.

The 22% reduction in imports from the USA to 21 400

tonnes in 2008 accounted for 79% of the overall reduction

in Japanese imports of these herring products.

The UK imported 14 100 tonnes of canned sardines

in 2008, 4% less than in 2006 and 24% less than in 2007.

Imports from Morocco accounted for 55% of the 2006 UK

imports of this product, but the volume from this supply

fell -32% to 5 400 tonnes in 2008, accounting for just 38%


SMALL PELAGICS

Imports

Canned sardines: UK

...............Jan-Dec............... ...............Jan-Mar...............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Morocco 8.0 6.9 5.4 1.4 1.4 1.7

Portugal 3.6 5.0 5.7 1.6 1.6 0.8

Namibia 1.5 - - 0.0 0.0 0.0

S. Africa 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Others 1.5 6.4 3.0 1.0 1.0 0.1

Total 14.6 18.4 14.1 4.0 4.0 2.6

Source: Seafi sh

of total imports. Imports from Portugal increased by 58%

over the period to 5 700 tonnes in 2008, which meant

that its market share increased from 25% in 2006 to 40%

in 2008.

First quarter 2009 imports were down overall on the

previous two years, with imports from Portugal halving

during this time, in favour of imports from Morocco, which

increased slightly. Morocco has been working hard to

make its product attractive to new and existing markets

by achieving an eco-label from Friend of the Sea.

Imports

Canned sardines: France

...............Jan-Dec............... ...............Jan-Mar...............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

Morocco 13.1 10.6 12.8 2.7 3.2 2.7

Portugal 2.6 3.0 3.4 0.5 0.3 0.3

Spain 0.9 1.1 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.2

Others 0.2 0.4 0.7 1.4 2.0 1.3

Total 16.8 15.1 18.1 4.7 5.5 4.5

Source: National Trade Statistics

although the volume was considerably less than that from

Morocco, averaging just 3 000 tonnes per year across the

period. French imports of canned sardines from Spain

were small in volume but grew 33% from 900 tonnes in

2006 to 1 200 tonnes in 2008.

Imports

Herring: France

...............Jan-Dec............... ...............Jan-Mar...............

2006 2007 2008 2007 2008 2009

(1 000 tonnes)

UK 712 2021 605 462 92 86

Iceland 2076 1298 3609 888 1263 702

Netherlands 1381 636 763 111 192 83

Norway 2131 3329 2488 1363 1313 2039

Denmark 373 301 86 198 75 60

Others 228 236 750 52 822 94

Total 6901 7821 8301 3074 3757 3064


Between 2006 and 2008 French herring imports

increased by +20% from 6 900 tonnes to 8 300 tonnes.

There was a +13% increase between 2006 and 2007 and

a +6% increase between 2007 and 2008, so year-on-year

growth fell back slightly. First quarter imports remained

stable across the three years. Norway and Iceland were

the two main suppliers of this product to France. Across

the period Norway averaged 34% of supply, peaking at

43% in 2007, whilst Iceland averaged 30% but ranged

from 43% in 2008 to just 17% in 2007. Imports from the

Netherlands declined -45% from 1 381 tonnes in 2006 to

just 763 tonnes in 2009. Having accounted for 20% of

supply in 2006, the Netherlands supplied only 9% of the

French herring imports in 2008. French imports of this

product from the UK varied in volume from 2 021 tonnes

in 2007 to 605 tonnes in 2008. Across the period the UK

averaged 14% of supply, peaking at 26% in 2007.

Market prospects good for small pelagics

Overall demand for small pelagics is expected to

expand in the present economic climate. As a result,

consumers are spending more money on fresh food,

including fresh fi sh, groceries and household items to be

cooked at home, especially in Japan and the USA. Medium

and lower value fresh fi sh species, including the different

species of mackerel, are expected to be in better demand

during the current crisis. Catches of small pelagics are

expected to be good in the second half of the year. One

example is Brazil, where sardine catches are forecast to

reach 90 000 tonnes, after years of low catches.

French imports of canned sardines increased by 8%

from 16 800 tonnes in 2006 to 18 100 tonnes in 2008,

although the volume dipped in 2007 to 15 100 tonnes.

First quarter imports for 2009 remained roughly stable

compared with the previous two years. Most of the

product was imported from Morocco, which averaged

73% of the supply between 2006 and 2008. It exported

the greatest volume to France in 2006 at 13 100 tonnes,

which equated to 78% of supply for that year. The second

biggest supplier of this product into France was Portugal,

issue 2/2009 highlights - nda.agric.za globeﬁ sh highlights july 2009 shrimp wholesale prices...

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