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

1. EUROPE

1.1 European Union

Landed volumes

Spain

On Mercabarna, in January, supplies of fresh Northern albacore and fresh tope shark increased. That of the rest of tunid and squaliform species have declined. The most significant drop was reported by fresh tuna.

On Mercamadrid, in January, supplies of tunid and squaliform species increased in the case of frozen tope shark and frozen blue shark and there was a drop in the rest of species. The most significant drops were those in fresh tuna and fresh northern bluefin.

Table 1: Incoming volumes on Mercamadrid

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

Volumes landed at Italian ports in January declined from those of the previous month in the case of albacore and picked dogfish. Those of swordfish and bullet tuna have increased. Aci Trezza was the main port of these landed volumes.

Table 2: Volumes traded at Italian ports

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

Prices

Prices of skipjack on Bangkok remained at USD 1,720/kg and USD 1,750/kg CFR. In the coming weeks they are expected to go down to USD 1,650/kg as a consequence of good volumes in the Indian ocean and the lower demand from canneries.

Spain

The prices of yellowfin for the canning industry remained at EUR 2,300/t EXW Spain. The price of skipjack > 1.8-3.4 kg rose to EUR 1,600/t EXW.

Table 3: Prices of tuna destined for canning in Spain,
February, in EUR/kg CFR

Source: FIS.com

Table 4: Prices of frozen precooked tuna loins,
in Spain, February, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

Table 5: Prices of frozen swordfish in Spain,
February, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

On Mercabarna, in January, supplies of fresh Northern albacore and fresh tope shark increased because of a higher demand. There was also a rise in frozen swordfish, fresh tuna, fresh shortfin mako and fresh swordfish, due to a drop in supplies. The prices of frozen tope shark and frozen shortfin mako declined as a consequence of the lower demand.

On Mercamadrid, in January, prices remained stable in all species except for swordfish that registered a slight drop.

Table 6: Prices on the Spanish wholesale markets of
Mercamadrid, December 2016-January 2017, in EUR/kg

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

At Italian first-sale markets, prices have increased in the case of bullet tuna and swordfish, due to a higher demand. Those of albacore and picked dogfish also rose due to a drop in supplies.

Table 7: Average prices at Italian ports,
December 2016 -  January 2017, in EUR/kg

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

Markets

European Union

Table 8: Imports of frozen tuna (Thunnus genus) and
skipjack (Euthynnus [Katsuwonus] pelamis) fillets in the EU,
January-November 2016/2015

 Source: Eurostat (Temporary information)

Table 9: Exports of frozen tuna (Thunnus genus) and
skipjack (Euthynnus [Katsuwonus] pelamis) fillets in the EU,
January-November 2016/2015

  Source: Eurostat (Temporary information)

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2. NORTH AMERICA

2.1 United States

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius)

Prices

The average CIF price of imports of headless and/or fresh gutted swordfish (HS 0302470090, former 0302670090) at US Customs in December was USD 9,100/t. This figure is down 8% on that of the previous month and 1% on that of December 2015. During the year, the average was USD 9,631, up 4% on those of the previous year.

Graph 1: Average CIF price at US Customs of fresh swordfish imports
(HS 0302470090, former 0302670090), 2012/2016, in USD/t

Source: FAS-USDA

Markets

In December, US imports of fresh swordfish reached 499 tonnes, worth USD 4,541,000 CIF declared at Customs.

These figures show a rise of 8% in volume and a drop of 1% in value compared with the previous month, and a decline of 4% in volume and value compared with December 2015.

Graph 2: Imports of fresh swordfish (HS 0302470090,
former 0302670090), 2012/2016, in tonnes and thousands of USD

Source: FAS-USDA

In the year, imports reported 7,777 tonnes and USD 74,902,000, similar in volume and up 5% in value on those of 2015.

The main suppliers of fresh headless and/or gutted swordfish during the period were Canada, Ecuador and Brazil with 1,406, 1,367 and 1,113 tonnes respectively.

Graph 3: Main origins of fresh swordfish imports,
(HS 0302470090, former 0302670090), January-December 2016

Source: FAS-USDA

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By DGA and Juan Murias

www.fis.com