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

Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)

Prices

The average price of Japanese frozen bigeye imports in May reported JPY 710/kg, down 3% on that of the previous month and up 3% on that of May 2014. During the first five months of the year it averaged JPY 738/kg, up 4% on that of the same period last year.

Graph 1: Average price of frozen bigeye at Japan Customs,
2011/2015, in JPY/kg

Source: Customs

Table 1: Average FOB price of frozen bigeye
at Japan Customs, in JPY/kg

Source: Japanese Customs

Markets

In the month analysed, imports of frozen bigeye reached 4,049 tonnes, worth JPY 2,876 million, down 57% in volume and 59% in value on those of the previous month and they were down 38% in volume and 36% in value on those of May 2014.

Graph 2: Japanese imports of frozen bigeye tuna, 2011-2015

Source: Customs

During the first five months of the year, imports totalled 31,276 tonnes and JPY 23,082 million, down 5% in volume and 1% in value on those of the same period last year.         

Taiwan contributed 53% (16,665 tonnes) and the Chinese Republic sent 22% (6,978 tonnes) of imports of the period.

Graph 3: Main exporters of frozen bigeye to Japan,
January-May 2015, in tonnes

Source: Japanese Customs

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2. EUROPE

2.1 European Union

Landed volumes

Spain

Incoming volumes declined mainly in frozen albacore and fresh swordfish on Mercamadrid during week 29. The most important increases were those in fresh albacore and frozen swordfish.

Table 2: Incoming volumes on Mercamadrid,
weeks 29 and 28

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

Volumes landed at Italian ports during week 29 increased in the case of bullet tuna and have barely moved in the rest of species. Aci Trezza was the main port of these landed volumes.

Table 3: Volumes landed at Italian ports, 
weeks 28 and 29 of 2015, in kg

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

Prices

Prices of skipjack on Bangkok tended to rise and reached USD 1,770/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 4: Prices of tuna destined for canning in Spain,
week 29, in EUR/kg CFR

Source: FIS.com

Table 5: Prices of frozen precooked 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

Prices on Mercamadrid declined in fresh head-on albacore during week 29. Those of the rest of tunid and squaliform species remained firm.

Table 7: Prices on Mercamadrid, weeks 29 and 28 of 2015, in EUR/kg

 Source: Mercamadrid

Italy

At Italian first-sale markets prices have increased in the case of albacore and picked dogfish. Those of bullet tuna and swordfish declined.

Table 8: Average prices at Italian ports,
weeks 29 and 28 of 2015, in EUR/kg

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

Markets

European Union

Table 9: Imports of frozen yellowfin (Thunnus albacares)
by the European Union countries, January-May 2015/2014

 Source: Eurostat

Table 10: Exports of frozen yellowfin (Thunnus albacares)
by the European Union countries, January-May 2015/2014

  Source: Eurostat

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By DGA and Juan Murias

www.fis.com