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

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

Markets

Total imports of tuna in May, fresh and frozen, reached about 11,401 tonnes, with a value at Japanese Customs of JPY 6,285 million. These figures are down 54% in volume and value on those of April and compared with those of May 2014, the volume is down 23% and the value is down 31%.

Imports of fresh tuna during the month reached 1,328 tonnes with a value of JPY 1,640 million at Japanese Customs, down 24% in volume and 18% in value on those of the previous month, and down 31% in volume and 23% in value on those of May 2014.

Table 1: Japanese imports of fresh tuna, 2015/2014

Source: Japanese Customs

Graph 1: Japanese imports of fresh tuna, 2011/2015

Source: Japanese Customs

As regards frozen tuna, imports during the month reported 10,073 tonnes, worth JPY 4,645 million at Japanese Customs.

These figures are down 56% in volume and 60% in value on those of the previous month and compared with those of May 2014, the volume is down 22% and so is the value by 33%.

Table 2: Japanese imports of frozen tuna,
2015/2014

Source: Japanese Customs

Graph 2: Japanese imports of frozen tuna, 2011/2015

Source: Japanese Customs

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2. EUROPE

2.1 European Union

Landed volumes

Spain

Incoming volumes declined in the case of frozen and fresh shortfin mako and fresh swordfish on Mercamadrid during week 27. Those of the rest of tunid and squaliform species increased. The most important increases were those in fresh albacore and frozen albacore.

Table 3: Incoming volumes on Mercamadrid,
weeks 27 and 26

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

At Italian ports, during week 27, volumes of bullet tuna declined slightly and those of the rest of tunid and squaliform species increased. The most significant rise was that of swordfish. Chioggia and Aci Trezza were the main ports with the bulkiest volumes.

Table 4: Volumes landed at Italian ports, 
weeks 26 and 27 of 2015, in kg

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

Prices

Prices of skipjack on Bangkok remained at USD 1,700/t.

Spain

In Spain the price of skipjack also stayed at EUR 1,500/t EXW Spain, and so did that of yellowfin tuna at EUR 1,750/t EXW Spain, due to a still low demand in the canning sector.

Table 5: Prices of tuna destined for canning in Spain,
week 28, in EUR/kg CFR

Source: FIS.com

Table 6: Prices of frozen precooked tuna loins,
Spain, week 28, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

Table 7: Prices of frozen swordfish loins in Spain,
week 28, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

Prices declined for fresh albacore on Mercamadrid during week 27 because of a rise in supplies. So did that of fresh swordfish due to a lower demand. Those for the rest of the species remained stable.

Table 8: Prices on Mercamadrid, weeks 27 and 26 of 2015, in EUR/kg

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

Prices at Italian first-sale markets declined for all tunid and squaliform species analysed.

Table 9: Average prices at Italian ports,
weeks 27 and 26 of 2015, in EUR/kg

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

Markets

European Union

Table 10: Imports of frozen tuna (Thunnus genus) and skipjack
(Euthynnus [Katsuwonus] pelamis) fillets in the EU,
January-April 2015/2014

 Source: Eurostat

Table 11: Exports of frozen tuna (Thunnus genus) and skipjack
(Euthynnus [Katsuwonus] pelamis) fillets in the EU,
January-April 2015/2014

  Source: Eurostat

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By DGA and Juan Murias

www.fis.com