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 at Japan Customs of frozen bluefin (HS 030345000 and 030346000) in May was JPY 2,053/kg, down 14% on that of April but up 27% on that of May 2013. In the first five months the average was JPY 1,794/kg, up 4% on that of the same period last year.

Table 1: Average prices of frozen bluefin (HS 030345000 y
030346000)  at Japan Customs, years 2014-2013, in JPY/kg

Source: Customs

Graph 1: Average prices of frozen bluefin imports (HS 030345000 and
030346000) at Japan Customs, years 2010—2014, in JPY/kg

Source: Customs

Markets

In the analysed month, imports reached 133 tonnes of frozen bluefin, worth JPY 273 million at Japanese Customs, up 60% in volume and 38% in value on those of the previous month and down 84% and 80% respectively on those of May 2013.

Graph 2: Japanese imports of frozen bluefin (HS 030345000 and
030346000), 2010/2014

Source: Customs

During the period, they totaled 3,102 tonnes worth JPY 5,565 million, up 46% in volume and 52% in value on those of the same period in 2013.

Graph 3: Monthly cumulative imports of frozen bluefin
(HS 030345000 and 030346000), in tonnes, 2010-2014

Source: Japan Customs

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2. EUROPE

2.1 European Union

Landed volumes

Spain

On Mercabarna, during week 28, the most important increases were those in fresh tuna by 11 tonnes and in fresh shortfin mako by 2 tonnes. The most significant decline was registered in fresh swordfish, by 1 tonne.

On the wholesale market of Mercamadrid, incoming volumes of tunid and squaliform species rose by 6 tonnes. The most important rise was that in fresh swordfish, by 15 tonnes, and the most significant drop was that in fresh albacore, by 9.5 tonnes.

Table 2: Incoming volumes on Mercamadrid, weeks 28 and 27

Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

At Italian ports there were few variations during week 28. The most important drop was registered in frigate tuna. The most important volumes were landed at the port of Aci Trezza.

Table 3: Volumes landed at Italian ports,
  weeks 27 and 28, 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 was still at 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.

Prices of yellowfin remained in all markets. On Manta it was at EUR 1,700/t. 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 remained at EUR 2,500/t CFR Spain.

Table 4: Prices of tuna destined for canning in Spain,
week 29, in EUR/kg CFR

Source: FIS.com

Table 5: Prices for precooked frozen tuna loins in Spain,
week 29, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

Table 6: Prices of frozen swordfish loins in Spain,
week 29, in EUR/kg FOB

Source: FIS.com

On Mercamadrid, the price of fresh head-on albacore rose by EUR 0.79 and so did that of fresh headless albacore by EUR 1.73/kg, due to a drop in supplies in both cases. The price of fresh blue shark dropped by EUR 0.21/kg, due to a higher demand. Those for the rest of the species remained stable.

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

Table 7: Prices on Mercabarna, weeks 28 and 27, in EUR/kg

Source: Mercabarna

Italy

On Italian first-sale markets prices of picked dogfish and swordfish increased slightly. Those of Atlantic albacore declined.

Table 8: Average prices at Italian ports,
weeks 28 and 27, in EUR/kg

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

Markets

European Union

Table 9: Imports of frozen tuna (Thunnus genus) and skipjack
(Euthynnus [Katsuwonus] pelamis) fillets in the EU,
January-April 2013/2014

 Source: Eurostat

Table 10: Exports of frozen tuna (Thunnus genus) and skipjack
(Euthynnus [Katsuwonus] pelamis) fillets in the EU,
January-April 2013/2014

 Source: Eurostat

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By DGA and Juan Murias

www.fis.com