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 14,746 tonnes, with a value at Japanese Customs of JPY 9,087 million. These figures are down 12% in volume and 1% in value on those of April and compared with those of May 2013, the volume is down 10% and the value is down 8%.

Imports of fresh tuna during the month reached 1,914 tonnes with a value of JPY 2,134 million at Japanese Customs, down 24% in volume and 18% in value on those of the previous month, and down 23% in volume and 24% in value on those of May 2013.

Table 1: Japanese imports of fresh tuna, 2014/2013

Source: Japan Customs

Graph 1: Japanese imports of fresh tuna, 2010/2014

Source: Japan Customs

As regards frozen tuna, imports during the month reported 12,833 tonnes, worth JPY 6,953 million at Japanese Customs.

These figures are down 10% in volume and up 6% in value on those of the previous month and compared with those of May 2013, the volume is down 7% and so is the value by 2%.

Table 2: Japanese imports of frozen tuna,
2014/2013

Source: Japan Customs

Graph 2: Japanese imports of frozen tuna, 2010/2014

Source: Japan Customs

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2. EUROPE

2.1 European Union

Landed volumes

Spain

On Mercabarna, during week 27, incoming volumes of fresh shortfin mako declined and those of tunid and squaliform species increased. The most significant increases were those of fresh tuna and fresh swordfish.

On Mercamadrid, the most significant drops were those in frozen albacore and frozen swordfish. The most important rise was that of fresh albacore.

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

Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

At Italian ports, during week 27, volumes of picked dogfish declined slightly and those of the rest of tunid and squaliform species increased. The most important drop was reported by bullet tuna. The most important volumes were landed at the port of Aci Trezza.

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

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

Prices

The prices of skipjack were the same as that of the previous week on the main markets. On the market of Bangkok, it rose to USD 1,600/t. On Manta it was at USD 1,200/t. Catch volumes in the Indian Ocean remained at USD 950/t. On the market of Abidjan they stayed at EUR 1,000/t.

The prices of yellowfin stayed at EUR 1,700/t on Manta. 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, the prices of skipjack remained at EUR 900/t CFR Spain. That of yellowfin increased to EUR 2,500/t CFR Spain. Tuna loins have declined.

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

Source: FIS.com

Table 6: Prices for precooked frozen tuna loins in 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

On Mercamadrid, the price of fresh headless bonito increased by EUR 0.10/kg and fresh shortfin mako by EUR 0.06/kg. The price of fresh head-on albacore declined by EUR 0.45/kg and fresh swordfish by EUR 0.67/kg. Those for the rest of tunid and squaliform species remained stable.

On Mercabarna, the most important variation was the rise in fresh swordfish. Those for the rest of the species remained stable or registered very slight variations.

Table 8: Prices on Mercabarna, weeks 27 and 26, in EUR/kg

Source: Mercabarna

Italy

Prices on Italian first-sale markets increased slightly in the case of bullet tuna and declined in the rest of tunid and squaliform species.

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

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

Markets

European Union

Table 10: Imports of frozen swordfish (Xiphias gladius)
–H&G and fillets- by the European Union countries,
January-April 2013/2014

 Source: Eurostat

Table 11: Exports of frozen swordfish (Xiphias gladius)
–H&G and fillets- by the European Union countries,
January-April 2013/2014

 Source: Eurostat

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By DGA and Juan Murias

www.fis.com