According to the Japan Maritime Center, container cargo volume from Asia to the United States (North America eastbound) in February decreased by 9% year-on-year to 1.2 million TEU, and that from January to Asia (Europe westbound) decreased by 4% to 154 10,000 TEU. Following the U.S.-China trade dispute, China's production stagnation is likely to have been affected since February. With the spread of the new coronavirus infection, declining demand on the European and American sides is likely to affect the future. North America East from 18 countries / regions in Asia.

Source:  The Japan Maritime Daily | Read full story here (Japanese subscription only)

The Japan Food Service Association (JF, Chairman Shinichiro Takaoka) announced on September 25 that sales after the outbreak of the new coronavirus were "serious." "It's extremely serious since the end of February." Regarding the trend since March, "Some chains, such as Izakaya, dinner restaurants, and family restaurants, have lost more than 50% of their sales.

Many stores have been forced to close or shorten their business hours. It is a welcome party season, but at this time reservations can not be made. " He also points out that inbound demand is declining. It also says that sales of tenants such as food courts in commercial facilities have dropped sharply.

Source: Suisan Times | Read full article here (Japanese subscription only)

A joint meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party Fisheries Committee (Chairman Shigeki Iwai) and General Fisheries Research Committee (Chairman Yasukazu Hamada) was held at the party headquarters on March 26, examining the key issues related to economic measures associated with the corona measures.

"I was instructed by the Liberal Democratic Party's political chairman to take drastic economic measures (such as measures against corona) on the 11th and pointed out that important matters should be submitted to the chairman of the Fisheries Committee and the Agriculture and Forestry Committee. The measures submitted by each subcommittee were narrowed down to measures that would lead to policies related to Japan's overall economy and people's lives, and they were notified to submit by 5:00 pm on March 26. " "The Fisheries Subcommittee and Fisheries Comprehensive Investigation Committee have compiled important points on economic measures in response to the comments from the fisheries industry at the previous joint meeting board meeting," the Secretariat announced. Eventually, the Joint Committee revised and submitted it to the Political Investigation Committee.

Source: The SUISAN-KEIZAI | Read full story here (Japanese subscription only)

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is here to support our industry in the uncertain and ever-changing Coronavirus (COVID-19) landscape. ASMI assembled a web page with resources from public health and industry experts regarding food safety and Alaska seafood for use as a basis for communication with external stakeholders. ASMI also published talking points from the National Fisheries Institute, and prepared this PDF document as an informational resource for Alaska’s seafood industry.

ASMI continues to monitor the situation and will update the site with additional information and resources as available. Do you know of additional resources that may be helpful to include?

BORIS JOHNSON'S battle with the EU over a new fishing agreement has been halted by the coronavirus crisis but Tory MP John Redwood is confident the UK has already won the first round of Brexit talks.

Britain and the EU's determination to deal with the coronavirus crisis has resulted in Brexit talks stalling. However, Brexiteer and Tory MP John Redwood argued Prime Minister Boris Johnson had already taken control of the fishing issue in the Brexit talks. During an interview with Express.co.uk, Mr Redwood insisted the Prime Minister had made clear the UK was not prepared to give fish away in hopes of a better trade deal.

He added the fishing industry had become a crucial pillar of the Brexit argument and the EU would have to realise this.

He said: "The UK has won the first round on that by having parallel talks on fishing and trade in eight other major areas. The UK is not saying we agree to give you fish first before anything else, that is important. But going forward Boris Johnson must make clear to the EU that we do not see a fish trade-off even in parallel talks. So the UK should not be saying: of course, we will give you a few more fish if you give us a better trade deal. The UK doesn't have to pay for a trade deal and you don't have to pay for it in fish."

Mr Redwood explained how fish and the fishing industry became an integral part of the Brexit argument.

Author:  Gerrard Kaonga/Daily Express | Read complete article here

ZOETERMEER - As a result of the corona virus, the fish wholesaler and the fish processing industry are under pressure from various sides. Guus Pastoor, chairman of the Dutch Fish Federation and of the European umbrella organization AIPCE CEP, believes that everything should be done to keep the sector running.

"The general principle must be that food production and distribution continue as smoothly as possible. This is adequately endorsed in the Border Management Directive issued by the European Commission. The only question is how things work out in practice.

Essential and fragile

The fishing sector is one of the essential sectors (food), with products that are also important to consumers in view of the health aspects. It is therefore very important to continue the production and supply of fishery products as much as possible. Because certain market segments have come to a standstill, it is important to properly match the supply to the remaining market demand.

First of all, there is of course concern for the staff and the continuity of production. These are food companies, in which hygiene is a prerequisite. This makes companies vulnerable, because screening for disease symptoms may lead to extra precautions more than elsewhere. In most cases there are labor-intensive processes, which often take place in shifts. Disease due to illness quickly leads to problems in the workplace. In distribution, companies and employees are confronted with additional risks and therefore with necessary precautions.

Source: visserijnieuws | Read the full article here (Dutch)

While Europe’s seafood processing and wholesale sectors remain committed to upholding food supplies to consumers throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the temporary measures so far introduced by E.U. administrations and member states to counter the pandemic’s effect on seafood supply chains are welcomed, but do not go far enough, the E.U. Fish Processors and Traders Association (AIPCE-CEP) has warned.

In a media release, AIPCE-CEP said that the seafood industry has been dealing with a “general disruption of demand” that has so far resulted in “dire consequences” in the supply chain of fresh fish, but “strong demand” has been seen by companies active in the frozen seafood and shelf-stable categories.

While these businesses are currently able to provide for the market – up to three months’ supply is also available in cold storage – they may face problems in the near-future rebuilding stocks if the raw materials are not available and if there are problems with logistics, the trade body said.

“The continuation of fishing, processing, and logistic activities are the highest priority now. In the current crisis, resolute public measures are needed to support companies to remain active,” AIPCE-CEP said.

Author: Jason Holland / SeafoodSource | Read the full article here

This week Danish trawl door manufacturer Thyborøn Trawldoor is shipping new doors to customers in the USA, Scotland, Canada, the Russian Far East and Spain, after having made some radical changes to working practices as the company adapts to strict restrictions.

‘The situation around the world is frightening, with companies shut down and people losing jobs, but we have to keep sight of what matters the most these days – which is human lives,’ said Henrik Andreassen.

‘For now our production is still running, as is the design team, and the sales team are still available around the clock for service and sales.’

With all of its manufacturing located in Denmark, production at the Thyborøn factory is split with the morning shift relieved at 1400 by the late shift which works to 2300. The office team is also split to keep people safely separate.

He commented that there is no choice but to follow the government restrictions aimed at bringing the Covid-19 outbreak under control.

Author: Quentin Bates/FiskerForum | Read the full article here

THE Norwegian seafood industry is proving ‘agile and adaptable’ in the global coronavirus lockdown, switching to more processed products as demand for fresh whole fish drops.

In the salmon market, there was an eight per cent decline for fresh whole exports last week, while fresh fillet exports increased by 28 per cent, said the Norwegian Seafood Council in its weekly update yesterday. Frozen salmon fillet exports increased by 17 per cent compared to the same week in 2019.

Paul T. Aandahl, seafood analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council, said: ‘There is increased uncertainty in consumers’ future purchasing power in several markets.

‘We do not know exactly what consequences this will have, but it is likely to impact demand for Norwegian seafood.

‘In several of our most important export markets we have been told of episodes of supermarket hoarding and thus growth in retail sales.

‘This growth is expected to slow as people eat the produce they have purchased. As the situation stands now, we can nonetheless expect that retail will remain strong, as people are eating at home rather than in restaurants.’

Author: Jenny Hjul / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here

Scottish Salmon Company owner Bakkafrost is to delay its £60 million dividend pay-out to shareholders until August because of the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Faroese salmon farmer had previously announced that it would pay DKK 8.31 per share – a total of DKK 491.5m – for 2019.
But last night the company said directors had decided to delay the dividend payment proposition for 2019 until Bakkafrost’s H1 presentation on August 25, “at which time the Board of Directors expect the level of uncertainty to have reduced”.

Disrupted logistics

In a market announcement, Bakkafrost said the Covid-19 outbreak had greatly affected the salmon market and disrupted downstream supply channels and logistics.

Significant uncertainty was most likely continue for some time.

“The level of uncertainty has convinced the Board of Directors and the Management of Bakkafrost that it is most responsible to shareholders, employees and the society to postpone the decision regarding the dividend payment for 2019,” stated the company.

Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here