This report focuses on catch volumes of tuna, shark and swordfish in Japanese and European Union waters. It also highlights prices, inventories, markets, imports and exports of species detailed in the following index.

1. ASIA

1.1 Japan

Northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus and Thunnus orientalis)
Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)

Prices

The average CIF price of fresh bluefin imported by Japan in August was JPY 1,664/kg, up 7% on that of the previous month but down 15% on that of August 2015. During the first eight months, the average was JPY 1,519/kg, down 9% on that of the same period last year.

Table 1: Average price at Japan Customs,
in JPY/kg CIF

Source: Japanese Customs

Graph 1: Average price at Customs of fresh bluefin Japanese imports,
2012/2016, in JPY/kg

Source: Customs

Markets

During August, about 663 tonnes of fresh bluefin were imported, worth JPY 1,103 million at Japan Customs.

These figures are down 26% in volume and 20% in value on those registered during the previous month. Compared with August 2015, imports grew 5% in volume and dropped 10% in value.

Graph 2: Japanese imports of fresh bluefin,
2012/2016

Source: Customs

In the period, imports reached 5,854 tonnes and JPY 8,891 million, up 49% in volume and 35% in value on those of the same period last year.

Graph 3: Cumulative monthly Japanese imports of
fresh northern bluefin, 2012 – 2016, in tonnes

Source: Japanese Customs

In the period the main origin of Japanese imports of northern bluefin (Thunnus thynnus and/or Thunnus orientalis) was Mexico with 2,759 tonnes and JPY 4,752 million, followed by Korea with 805 tonnes and JPY 453 million.

Graph 4: Cumulative monthly Japanese imports of
fresh southern bluefin, 2012 – 2016, in tonnes

Source: Japanese Customs

The main supplier of southern bluefin was Australia, with 1,042 tonnes worth JPY 1,434 million.

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2. EUROPE

2.1 European Union

Landed volumes

Spain

In the wholesale market of Mercabarna, during week 40, the most significant variation was the drop in fresh tope shark and in frozen tope shark –to a lesser extent-. The most significant increasees were those in fresh tuna, fresh swordfish and fresh northern albacore.

Supplies of tunid and squaliform species increased in the case of head-on albacore and declined in the rest of species on Mercamadrid. The most important declines were reported by swordfish and blue shark.

Table 2: Incoming volumes on Mercamadrid

 Source: Mercamadrid

France

Volumes of northern albacore landed at French ports rose by 17 tonnes during week 40, compared with the previous one. The main ports were Le Guilvinec, Boulogne/Mer, Les Sables D'olonne and Lorient.

Table 3: Volumes traded at French ports

Source: FranceAgriMer

Italy

According to the information registered at Italian ports during week 40, the only volumes were those of picked dogfish, with 96 tonnes.

Prices

Prices of skipjack on Bangkok remained at USD 1,450/kg.

Spain

The prices of yellowfin for the canning industry declined to EUR 2,300/t EXW Spain. The price of skipjack > 1.8-3.4 kg dropped to EUR 1,250/t EXW Spain.

Regarding swordfish, the prices remained the same as those of the previous week.

Table 4: Prices of tuna destined for canning in Spain,
week 40, in EUR/kg CFR

Source: FIS.com

Table 5: Prices of frozen precooked tuna loins,
in Spain, week 40, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

Table 6: Prices of frozen swordfish loins in Spain,
week 40, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

On Marcabarna, during week 40, the most important drops in prices were registered in swordfish, fresh shortfin mako and northern albacore, due to the rise in supplies. The most significant increases were those in fresh tope shark, due to lower supplies, and in fresh tuna, following a higher demand.

Prices increased in swordfish and declined in the rest of species on Mercamadrid during week 40.

Table 7: Prices on Mercamadrid,
weeks 40 and 39 of 2016, in EUR/kg

 Source: Mercamadrid

France

The average price of northern albacore volumes was down EUR 0.97/kg at French ports, due to a rise in supplies.

Table 8: Average prices at French ports,
weeks 40 and 39, in EUR/kg

 Source: FranceAgriMer

Italy

Prices of picked dogfish were between EUR 9.15/kg and EUR 10.44/kg on Italian first-sale markets.

Markets

European Union

Table 9: Imports of canned tuna, skipjack and
albacore (Sarda spp.) by the EU, January-July 2016/2015

 Source: Eurostat (Temporary information)

Table 10: Exports of canned tuna, skipjack and
albacore (Sarda spp.) by the EU, January-July 2016/2015

  Source: Eurostat (Temporary information)

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By DGA and Juan Murias

www.fis.com