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

Northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)

Prices

The average price of frozen bluefin (HS 030345000 and 030346000) was JPY 2,323/kg at Japan Customs in May, down 6% on that of April and 25% on that of May 2015. In the first five months the average was JPY 1,717/kg, down 3% on that of the same period last year.

Table 1: Average prices of frozen bluefin (HS 030345000 y
030346000) at Japan Customs, years 2016-2015, in JPY/kg

Source: Customs

Graph 1: Average prices of frozen bluefin imports
(HS 030345000 y 030346000) at Japan Customs,
years 2012—2016, in JPY/kg

Source: Customs

Markets

In the month analysed, imports reached 295 tonnes of frozen bluefin, worth JPY 568 million at Japanese Customs, up 602% in volume and 700% in value on those of the previous month and 328% and 167% respectively on those of May 2015.

Graph 2: Japanese imports of frozen bluefin
(HS 030345000 and 030346000), 2012/2016

Source: Customs

During the period, imports reached 939 tonnes, worth JPY 1,612 million, down 72% in volume and value on those of the previous year.

Graph 3: Cumulative monthly imports of frozen bluefin
(HS 030345000 and 030346000), in tonnes, 2012-2016

Source: Japan Customs

In the period, Mexico sent 399 tonnes of frozen bluefin to Japan, worth JPY 645 million.

Graph 4: Main exporters of frozen bluefin to Japan,
January-May 2016, in tonnes

Source: Japanese Customs

Back to index

2. EUROPE

2.1 European Union

Landed volumes

The NMFS has temporarily closed the fishing operations on pelagic longline species in the USA in the case of bigeye for vessels over 24 meter long in the Pacific Eastern Ocean through 31 December 2016. They expect to reach the 500 tonnes catch limit fixed for 2016. This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding the Total Allowable Catch set by the Tropital Tuna InterAmerican Commission (CIAT in Spanish).

Total catch volumes of tuna in the OPO reported a cumulative interannual drop of 8.6% through May 2016. In the case of yellowfin, the drop amounted to 15.6% in bigeye it was 34.8%. That of skipjack increased by 0.1%. In January-May 2016 volumes reached 269,934 tonnes, according to the CIAT information.

Spain

Basque ports have started to get Atlantic bluefin after many years of shortage cause by the decision made by the Basque coastal sector to sell its fishery quota to the tunny fishery of Barbate. The Basque fleet has a quota of 640 tonnes for this species. This species was banned for the recreational fleet.

On Mercabarna, during week 28, supplies of fresh tuna increased dramatically. To a lesser extent, there was also a rise in supplies of fresh swordfish and frozen tope shark. Those of fresh tope shark, frozen and fresh shortfin mako dropped.

On the wholesale market of Mercamadrid, during week 28, supplies of albacore declined and those of shortfin mako, swordfish and blue shark increased.

Table 2: Incoming volumes on Mercamadrid

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

At Italian ports, during week 28, volumes of tunid and squaliform species increased. The most important rise was that of bullet tuna. Aci Trezza was the main port of these landed volumes.

Table 3: 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 1,400/t.

Spain

The price of yellowfin stayed at EUR 2,550/t EXW Spain. The price of skipjack > 1.8 kg remained at EUR 1,360/t EXW Spain.

As regards squaliform species, prices of swordfish were the same.

Table 4: Prices of tuna destined for canning in Spain,
week 28, in EUR/kg CFR

Source: FIS.com

Table 5: Prices of frozen precooked tuna loins,
in Spain, week 28, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

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

Source: FIS.com

On Mercabarna, during week 28, prices declined in tope shark samples, due to the lower demand. Those of fresh swordfish and fresh albacore declined due to the rise in supplies. Those of fresh tuna and frozen tope shark increased because of the higher demand. The rest of the variations were slight.

On the wholesale market of Mercamadrid, during week 28, supplies of all tunid and squaliform species dropped. That of albacore also declined following a lower demand. That of swordfish and shortfin mako declined because of a rise in supplies.

Table 7: Prices on Mercamadrid,
weeks 28 and 27 of 2016, in EUR/kg

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

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

Table 8: Average prices at Italian ports,
weeks 28 and 27 of 2016, 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-April 2016/2015

 Source: Eurostat (Preliminary information)

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

  Source: Eurostat (Temporary information)

Back to index

By DGA and Juan Murias

www.fis.com