This report focuses on catches 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

Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis)
Albacore (Thunnus alalunga)
Yellowfin (Thunnus albacares)
Bluefin tuna (Thunnus Thynnus)
Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)

Markets

Total imports of fresh and frozen tuna reached about 12,920 tonnes in February, with a value at Japanese Customs of JPY 8,614 million. These figures are up 10% in volume and 23% in value on those of January and compared with those of February 2016, the volume is down 18% and the value is down 14%.

Imports of fresh tuna during the month reached 976 tonnes with a value of JPY 1,392 million at Japanese Customs, down 12% in volume and 4% in value on those of the previous month, and down 35% in volume and 25% in value on those of February 2016.

Table 1: Japanese imports of fresh tuna, 2017/2016

Source: Japanese Customs

Graph 1: Japanese imports of fresh tuna, 2013/2017

Source: Japanese Customs

As regards frozen tuna, imports during the month reported 12,920 tonnes, worth JPY 8,614 million at Japanese Customs.

These figures are down 13% in volume and 30% in value on those of the previous month and compared with those of January 2016, the volume is down 16% and so is the value by 11%.

Table 2: Japanese imports of frozen tuna, 2017/2016

Source: Japanese Customs

Graph 2: Japanese imports of frozen tuna, 2013/2017

Source: Japanese Customs

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2. EUROPE

2.1 European Union

Landed volumes

Spain

According to the Spanish Association of Canneries ANFACO, the most important volume of canned products was that of yellowfin tuna which reported 224,549 tonnes, up 0.7% on that of 2015. The value registered EUR 778,061,000, up 1.5% on that of 2015. The production of canned yellowfin tuna amounted to 64.44% to total canning production.

On Mercabarna, in February, supplies of tunid and squaliform species declined, both in fresh and frozen products. The most significant drops were those in fresh tuna, fresh swordfish and fresh northern albacore.

In February, supplies of tunid and squaliform species increased on Mercamadrid in the case of tuna and albacore, both fresh and frozen, as well as fresh swordfish. Those of tope shark, shortfin mako and blue shark –both fresh and frozen- declined.

Table 3: Incoming volumes on Mercamadrid

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

Volumes landed at Italian ports in February declined from those of the previous month in the case of albacore, swordfish and bullet tuna. Aci Trezza was the main port of these landed volumes.

Table 4: Volumes traded at Italian ports

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

Prices

Prices of skipjack declined to USD 1,550/kg and USD 1,560/kg CRF on the market of Bangkok in March. According to sector sources, it was due to a rise in supplies and a lower demand. In the case of yellowfin, prices were about EUR 2,250/t in Abidjan and EUR 2,150/t in the Seychelles.

Spain

The prices of yellowfin for the canning industry were at EUR 2,500/t EXW Spain. The price of skipjack > 1.8-3.4 kg dropped to EUR 1,500/t EXW. Prices of swordfish have also declined slightly.

Table 5: Prices of tuna destined for canning in Spain,
March, in EUR/kg CFR

Source: FIS.com

Table 6: Prices of frozen precooked tuna loins,
in Spain, March, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

Table 7: Prices of frozen swordfish in Spain,
March, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

On Mercabarna, in February, prices of frozen tope shark and frozen swordfish declined, due to a lower demand. Those of fresh tunid and squaliform species increased and so did that of frozen shortfin mako, due to lower supplies.

On Mercamadrid, in January, prices of all species analysed remained stable in all species and presentations, except for that of swordfish that rose by EUR 0.20/kg due to a higher demand.

Table 8: Prices on the Spanish wholesale markets of
Mercamadrid, January and February 2017, in EUR/kg

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

On Italian first-sale markets, the average prices of Atlantic albacore declined due to the rise in supplies. Those of picked dogfish and swordfish also dropped due to the lower demand.

Table 9: Average prices at Italian ports,
January-February 2017, in EUR/kg

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

Markets

Spain

According to Anfaco, the main destination of Spanish exports of canned products were Italy, France, Portugal, Germany and the UK, within countries of the EU. The USA, Argelia, Chile and Mexico were the main destinations outside the EU.

Exports of fresh swordfish reached 4,317 tonnes in 2016, down 13% on those of 2015. Values of these exports reported EUR 33,717,000, i.e. EUR 7.68/kg. It was down 10% on that of 2015.

Skipjack with 23% and yellowfin with 14% were the highest volumes of exports. Compared with 2015, they were down 5%. The volume of skipjack exported in 2016 reached 99,252 tonnes. That meant an average price of EUR 1.12/kg. In 2015, the average price was EUR 0.98/kg.

In the case of frozen yellowfin, the volume of exports reported 58,770 tonnes in 2016, totalling EUR 97,210,000. Lo que ha supuesto EUR 1,65/kg. En el 2015 el precio medio ha sido de EUR 1,48/kg.

European Union

In all the EU imports of skipjack increased by 15,791 tonnes in 2016, up 28.26% on those of 2015. The main origins were Curaçao and El Salvador. In the case of El Salvador, the rise amounted to 344,30%, compared with the previous year.

Export volumes of skipjack increased by 36.39% in 2016. The average value of these exports was EUR 1.12/kg while in 2015 it had been EUR 0.97/kg. Exports to the Seychelles increased 87.52% compared with those of the previous year.

Table 10: Imports of frozen whole and H&G skipjack by
the EU, January-December 2016/2015

 Source: Eurostat (Temporary information)

Table 11: Exports of frozen whole and H&G skipjack by
the EU, January-December 2016/2015

  Source: Eurostat (Temporary information)

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By DGA and Juan Murias

www.fis.com