This report focuses on catch volumes of tuna, shark and swordfish in Japanese and the EU 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 October was JPY 2,092/kg, down 14% on that of the previous month and similar to that of October 2013. During the first ten months, the average was JPY 1,698/kg, down 4% on that of the same period last year.

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

Source: Japan Customs

Graph 1: Average price at Customs for fresh bluefin Japanese imports,
2010/2014, in JPY/kg

Source: Customs

Markets

During October, about 347 tonnes of fresh bluefin were imported, worth JPY 726 million at Japan Customs.

This figure is up 48% in volume and 28% in value on those registered during the previous month. Compared with October 2013, imports fell 23% in volume and 3% in value.

Graph 2: Japanese imports of fresh bluefin,
2010/2014

Source: Customs

In the period, imports reached 4,538 tonnes and JPY 7,704 million, down 11% in volume and 14% in value on those of the same period last year.

Graph 3: Cumulative monthly Japanese imports of
fresh northern bluefin, 2010 – 2014, in tonnes

Source: Japan Customs

In the period the main origin of Japanese imports of northern bluefin (Thunnus thynnus and/or Thunnus orientalis) was Mexico with 1,503 tonnes and JPY 2,545 million, followed by Korea with 888 tonnes and JPY 594 million.

Graph 4: Cumulative monthly Japanese fresh southern bluefin imports,
2010/2014, in tonnes

Source: Japan Customs

Australia has been the main supplier of southern bluefin so far, with 685 tonnes and JPY 1,220 million. New Zealand exported 496 tonnes, worth JPY 833 million.

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2. EUROPE

2.1 European Union

Landed volumes

Spain

On the wholesale market of Mercamadrid, the incoming volumes of frozen albacore, frozen shortfin mako, frozen swordfish and fresh blue shark declined. Those of fresh albacore, fresh shortfin mako and fresh swordfish increased.

Table 2: Incoming volumes on Mercamadrid,
weeks 48 and 47

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

At Italian ports, during week 48, volumes of tunid and squaliform species increased, those were the cases of bullet tuna and swordfish. But those of Atlantic albacore declined and picked dogfish remained stable. The most important volumes were landed at the port of Aci Trezza.

Table 3: Volumes landed at Italian ports, 
weeks 47 and 48, in kg

 Source: ISMEA (Istituto di Servizi per il mercato agricolo e alimentare)

Prices

Prices of skipjack on the market of Bangkok remained at USD 1,570/t.

Prices of yellowfin remained in all markets. On Manta it was at EUR 1,700/t. Catch volumes of the Indian ocean remained at USD 2,000/t and on Abidjan they stayed at EUR 2,030/t.

Spain

In Spain prices of skipjack stayed at EUR 1,450/t CFR Spain and those of yellowfin at EUR 2,600/t CFR Spain.

Table 4: Prices of tuna destined for canning in Spain,
week 48, in EUR/kg CFR

Source: FIS.com

Table 5: Prices for precooked frozen tuna loins in Spain,
week 48, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

Table 6: Prices of frozen swordfish loins in Spain,
week 48, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

On Mercamadrid, the price of fresh albacore and fresh swordfish increased due to the higher demand. The rest of tunid and squalliform products reported no variations.

Table 7: Prices on Mercamadrid,
weeks 48 and 47, in EUR/kg

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

On Italian first-sale markets prices of albacore, picked dogfish and bullet tuna declined. Those of swordfish dropped due to the rise in supplies.

Table 8: Average prices at Italian ports,
weeks 48 and 47, in EUR/kg

 Source: ISMEA (Istituto di Servizi per il mercato agricolo e alimentare)

Markets

European Union

Table 9: Imports of frozen whole and H&G skipjack by the EU,
January-August 2013/2014

 Source: Eurostat

Table 10: Exports of frozen whole and H&G skipjack by the EU,
January-August 2013/2014

Source: Eurostat

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By DGA and Juan Murias

www.fis.com