W52: Weekly Seafood Update
Crab
Saudi Arabia allowed the supply of products from two Russian crab enterprises, expanding the list of approved suppliers of fish products to 12 enterprises. Thus, according to the agency, currently 12 Russian organisations and vessels are included in the lists of enterprises entitled to supply processed fish products to the Kingdom. Rosselkhoznadzor will continue to work to expand the list of Russian enterprises that have the right to export to Saudi Arabia, the message says.
Salmon
Russia: Rosrybolovstvo Abandoned the Idea to Ban the Export of Salmon (Dec 28)
Rosrybolovstvo proposed to introduce a ban on the export of red fish and caviar in early September 2022. The head of the department, Ilya Shestakov, explained the initiative as an unsuccessful salmon fishing season. In 2022, the catch was lower than in even-numbered 2020 (salmon catches are traditionally compared between even-numbered and odd-numbered years). As of December 19, 272.1K MT of Pacific salmon were harvested, and in 2020 about 297K MT, which was called the minimum since 2009. In this connection, less red caviar will be produced in Russia about 13-14K MT, while in 2021 the volume of red caviar production amounted to 22.6K MT. This decrease in catch has led to an increase in the price of red fish. In addition, there was a lack of supplies of Atlantic salmon to the Russian market against the backdrop of sanctions.
Chile: The Summer Season of Chinook Wild Salmon Started in W51 (Dec 27)
In W51, the summer season for Chinook wild salmon started in Chile. Local fishers have higher expectations about the capture and commercial projection for international markets. Last season (January-March 2022) they managed to catch more than 45MT. However, better results are forecasted for this season. Moreover, the higher control and support from Chilean Government Agencies will increase traceability and expected prices.
Chile: Supply Projection for the Atlantic Salmon in 2023 (Dec 27)
Chilean salmon producers reported Atlantic salmon supply projections for 2023. The supply in Chile projects a 2% drop in 2023, and the supply worldwide a 1% increase. Projections indicate a supply of 728.8K MT WFE for Chile and a supply of 2.9M MT WFE globally. Prices are forecasted to remain high throughout 2023 due to the inflation pressures in markets like the United States.
US: Price of Chilean Fresh Atlantic Salmon Fillets in the USA Market in W52 (Dec 29)
In W52, Chilean farmed salmon producers reported that the prices for salmon fillets for the North American market stopped rising. Shipping prices for W52 remained at the same levels as W51. In W52, prices for salmon remained at USD 6-6.20/lb for 2/3 lb and USD 6.10-6.30/lb for the 3/4lb, all FOB MIA.
Turkey: Kvidul Secures Permit for Land-Based Salmon and Smolt Farm (Dec 30)
In April 2022, Kvidul applied for an aquaculture permit for the production of 10M smolts up to 560g and 20K MT of harvested salmon at Brensholmen, in Åfjord municipality. The requested biomass was 2.5K MT for the smolt and 13K MT for the harvested fish. The public sector authorities involved have reviewed and given their respective decisions on the application. Trøndelag County Authority approved the application for an aquaculture permit, valid from 22 December 2022.
Shrimp
Vietnam: Vietnamese Shrimp Exports Reach More Than USD 4B (Dec 26)
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam's shrimp exports in November 2022 decreased by 18%, the sharpest decline since the beginning of 2022. However, accumulated for 11 months of this year, shrimp export revenue still reached more than USD 4B, the highest level in 11 months over the years. Accumulated revenue in 11 months recorded an increase of 14% compared to the same period in 2021.
Vietnam: Vietnamese Shrimp Persistently Kept the Market in a Difficult and Volatile Year (Dec 29)
The year 2022 is considered to be a difficult year for the Vietnamese economy, as well as Vietnam's processed and exported agricultural products; including Vietnamese shrimp. The shrimp business community has been trying to maintain the market and restore domestic production so that it can go through the period of impact from many factors of inflation, political fluctuations, fuel and transportation charges. According to statistics of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, shrimp export turnover in 2022 is estimated at USD 4.3B, up 10% compared to 2021, keeping stable, although it is difficult to make profits. Due to the post-COVID-19 response, fluctuations in freight rates, fuel prices, especially economic inflation in some major markets around the world have weighed on the needs of consumers. Meanwhile, shrimp is considered as one of the luxury food items that consumers need to reduce in difficult situations.
These days, farmers in U Minh district, Ca Mau province, are entering the harvest of giant freshwater shrimp. This year, due to favourable weather and accumulated farming experience, most of the farmers have achieved high productivity, but there is still the worry of "good harvest". This year's crayfish crop on rice-shrimp land is stocked by the family of Mr. Pham Hoang Thong, in Khanh Thuan commune, U Minh district, in the fourth lunar month. With an area of 0.8ha, Mr. Thong stocked 20K breeds.
Australia: Vietnam’s Shrimp Exports to Australia Recorded Record Growth (Dec 25)
From the beginning of 2022, Vietnam's shrimp exports to Australia have continuously grown strongly. As of October 15, shrimp exports to Australia reached nearly USD 214M, up 62% over the same period in 2021, a record increase in Vietnam's largest export markets. “Australians increasingly prefer to use Vietnamese shrimp. From restaurants to large Australian supermarkets or Asian stores, Vietnamese shrimp are abundantly present. The strength of Vietnamese shrimp is not only in quality, ability, supply capacity, but also due to the deep processing level, along with the trade promotion efforts of businesses, localities and representatives", the representative of the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia informed.
Argentina: Until 2028, It Will Not Be Possible to Fish Shrimp in the San Jorge Gulf (Dec 27)
The Federal Fisheries Council once again renewed the commitment sealed in Resolution 7/2018 between Chubut and Santa Cruz not to fish for shrimp in the San Jorge Gulf and in compensation grants both provinces a social quota of 5K MT to be used by vessels to be nominated. The collegiate body stated in the last act that the interjurisdictional management model with the support of the provinces of Chubut and Santa Cruz allowed increasing shrimp catches and optimising their exploitation. This generated a significant impact on employment and productive development, for which is deemed convenient to extend the period originally contemplated, until the end of the annual period 2028 inclusive with the aforementioned compensation.
Snail
Vietnam: Canadian Golden Heliotrope Snail Sells for Nearly USD 212.54/Head for Tet Holiday (Dec 31)
Canadian golden heliotrope snail is the latest product that has just been officially imported to Vietnam by air to serve the Tet season with a retail price of nearly USD 106.27/kg (2.5M VND). With a large size, each weighing from 1.3 to 2 kg, priced from more than USD 127.52 (3M VND) to nearly USD 212.54 (5M VND). The Vietnamese market used to import many types of natural heliotrope snails, but mostly white ones. This snail is usually less than 1 kg in size, priced from nearly USD 34.01/kg (800K VND) to more than USD 38.26/kg (900k VND).
Tuna
The European Union (EU) will probably impose restrictive measures for Non-EU tuna exporting countries. The EU is in the process of increasing quality measures for the countries whose catching practices are questionable as per EU standards. Countries like India, which exports Yellowfin and Skipjack tunas to the EU are likely to be affected if the restrictions are high. It may result in reduced demand from the EU and ultimately benefit South East Asian and Tunisian buyers of Indian tuna as the prices may get lowered if restrictions are imposed by 2023. The Indian catch of tuna and other seafood is mostly 'land frozen' while other origins have been using catching fleets that can offer 'sea frozen' methods. Apart from this, the high histamine levels of Indian tuna catches need to be improved to compete with the EU and other high international standards.
