FDA Halts Foreign Food Inspections, Cites Coronavirus Outbreaks

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stopped foreign inspections of food, drug and medical products through April, in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreaks across the globe.

In a statement from FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, the FDA came to the decision due to the “State Department Level 4 travel advisories in which travel is prohibited for U.S. government employees, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel recommendations, access restrictions being imposed on foreign visitors by certain countries, guidance from the Office of Personnel Management and the importance of the health..."

USTR Denies 25% Tariff Exclusion Request for Frozen Tilapia From China

A pair of requests from companies looking to be excluded from 25% tariffs on frozen tilapia imports from China were rejected by the United States Trade Representative on March 5.

Requests from Hawaii-based Hilo Fish Company and J&J Seafoods, based in California, were denied according to letters signed by General Counsel Joseph Barloon. The letters were posted on the USTR’s website.

J&J’s request called for exclusions on “individually quick frozen tilapia fillets of varying sizes treated with tasteless smoke, packaged together in bags or carton...

Norwegian Seafood Export Volume Drops in February, Value Increases as Coronavirus Makes an Impact

According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, the country exported 216,000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK 9.3 billion (~$1 billion USD).

The total volume of exports was a six percent drop compared to February 2019, but the value increased by NOK 1.4 billion, a 17 percent jump.

Through two months, Norway exported a total of 430,000 tonnes worth NOK 19 billion. Again, that is a minor two percent dip in volume, but a significant 15 percent increase in value.

“Despite increased uncertainty..."

Here’s the List of U.S. Seafood Items China Will Exempt From Retaliatory Tariffs

Last week, China said it would begin accepting applications for tariff exemptions for 696 U.S. products, including over 40 seafood products imported from the United States.

Chinese companies looking for an exemption on the additional tariffs that were implemented during the China-U.S. trade war can submit their applications from March 2, according to the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China.

The exemptions of the 42 seafood-related items will allow Chinese companies to import goods, avoiding retaliatory tariffs that were implemented...

ANALYSIS: December Shrimp Imports 1.4 Percent Lower, India Paces Shipments with 623 Million Pounds

December imports were released today and mirror last month, with a 1.4 percent decline in total volume. The year-over-year figure narrowed slightly as a result, and 2019 imports edged only 0.4 percent higher than 2018. India crossed over 600 million pounds to nearly 623 million pounds and shattered last year’s record shipments to the United States. Our number one trade partner accounted for over 40 percent of all shrimp imported in 2019. Indonesia, Ecuador, Vietnam, and...

China Cuts Tariffs on $75 Billion of U.S. Goods, Over 100 Seafood Items Included

China announced on Thursday that they will halve tariffs on hundreds of U.S. goods worth around $75 billion.

The country will lower retaliatory tariffs from 10% to 5% on some goods and 5% to 2.5% on others. The change will take effect on February 14, according to a statement from China’s Finance Ministry. The U.S. will follow suit by slashing tariffs in half for $120 billion worth of Chinese goods on the same day.

The goal of the tariff relief was...

These are the 9 Seafood Items Exempt From 25% Tariffs; Read the Notice from the USTR Here

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) removed the 25% tariffs on nine seafood items including Alaskan sole and Alaskan plaice. These products are processed in China, before being imported back into the U.S.

The USTR posted a “Notice of Product Exclusions,” on January 31, which lists 119 total items that will be removed from the $200 Billion Tariff Action (List 3). This list imposed a 10% tariff on September 24, 2018, before jumping to 25% in May 2019.

The exclusion dates back to when the tariff was...

Maine Representatives Urge USTR to Hold China Accountable on U.S. Lobster Commitment

A delegation of Maine representatives sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer asking for specific information regarding China’s commitment to purchase lobster in a recently announced U.S.-China trade deal.

U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) pushed the USTR to release China’s financial commitment to American lobster.

The representatives cited China’s history of not fulfilling trade agreements. The delegation wants transparency to ensure that China will purchase American lobster...

ANALYSIS: Second Month-Over-Month Surge for Chinese Catfish

Imports for Chinese catfish frozen fillets totaled 1.7 million pounds for the month of November, increasing 52.7 percent from October, which saw a 125.2 percent increase over the previous month.

Compared to November 2018, imports are 80.8 percent above last year's volume, however, on a YTD basis, 2019 still falls 20.4 percent below 2018 levels.

November 2019 import volume comes in 70.7 percent, or 723,011 pounds, above the previous 3-year average of just over 1 million pounds.

Domestic consumption within China of this...

China Lowers Tariffs on Imported Seafood Products

On Dec. 23, 2019, China officially announced it is cutting tariffs on some imports, set to take effect Jan. 1, 2020. With the increasingly great popularity of foreign seafood products in China, some products will benefit from such a decision to the tariffs. In turn, it is expected the oriental market also will change as a result.

According to the tariff-reduction list, tariffs on frozen Atlantic salmon (03031300) has dropped from 7% to 5%, while those on tunas (03034100, 03034200, 03034400, 03034510, 03034520 and 03034600) have declined by 1%. Those on...

US Tries to Get Mini-Deal Tariff Relief on Lobsters from EU, but No Dice

The US trade representative Robert Lighthizer tried to get a mini-deal done with the EU that would have lifted tariffs on US lobster for export to the EU.

Currently Canadian lobster, both live and frozen, can enter the EU duty-free, while US lobster faces an 8% tariff on live, and a 6% tariff on frozen.  This has been enough to radically shift markets in France and Italy to Canada, which enjoys a significant tariff price advantage.

According to a report that first appeared in Politico Europe, the US proposed a mini-trade agreement covering lobsters and some chemicals, in which the EU would drop tariffs on these...

China's Salmon Prices Fluctuate After Chile Protests; Companies Try to Assure Chinese Buyers

Protests in Chile have taken a toll on the country’s air flights as well as seafood exports such as salmon. But the influence of the protests is far greater. For example, China, one main salmon importer, has been under pressure due to the faraway protests. Due to limited supply, salmon prices have been changing rapidly.

As statistics from the late October show, distributors’ average purchase price of frozen salmon once jumped from 68 yuan per kg ($9.66/kg USD) to 75 yuan ($10.65/kg USD) within one ...

The Winding Glass: Ecuador Cements Position as the Top Global Shrimp Producer, and Will Remain So

I had the opportunity to attend the National Chamber of Aquaculture’s AquaExpo in Guayaquil last week.  The expo has grown to become the most important International expo in Latin America.  That is not surprising, given that shrimp has now surpassed bananas as Ecuador’s primary export, worth $3.2 billion in 2018.

Last year, at Conxumar’s FAO conference in Vigo, I predicted Ecuador would emerge as the top Global shrimp supplier. In 2018, Ecuador exported about 500,000 tons of shrimp, compared to 596,000 tons exported...

Trade War Taking a Toll on Seafood Industries in Both the U.S. and China

After President Trump initiated a trade war against China, drastic changes have occurred to the trading between these two large economies. Both parties are suffering with no winner from either country, according to several media reports, and the seafood industry is among the biggest victims. Industry participants in both countries are feeling the pressure.

In China, for example, tilapia prices have decreased due to the coming harvest season and America’s higher tariffs. According to one processing plant in Zhanjiang, the price of live tilapias...

ANALYSIS: January Tilapia Imports and the Impact of the Coronavirus and Tariffs

Tilapia frozen fillets, the largest seafood item by volume imported into the United States from China, has yet to see an impact at the wholesale level in the wake of supply chain disruptions caused by the coronavirus. With reports from key industry players that overseas plants are currently working at a 25-50% capacity and have started shipping out limited product this week on orders from before the Chinese New Year holiday, wholesale prices remain steady in the 10th week of 2020...

China’s Tariff Exemption Step in the Right Direction for U.S. Lobster Industry

Relief may be in sight for the United States lobster industry. After the Chinese market was largely taken off the table due to the U.S.-China trade war, recent tariff exemptions may bring China back into the fold.

On February 18, China announced that 696 U.S. products would be exempt from tariffs, including 42 seafood products, worth $300 million.

Live, fresh and chilled lobster is one of the key items listed. On the surface, this is good news for lobstermen, particularly in Maine, who have...

ANALYSIS: Squid Imports Lowest in 10 Years, 2020 Outlook

2019 imports of squid into the U.S. totaled 131.6 million pounds of volume with an estimated value of $313.9 million. Volume has fallen just over 30.2 million pounds from the previous 3-year average of 161.8 million pounds.

When looking at a breakdown by origin, volume from mainland China retreated significantly, falling 33.3 million pounds from 2018 or by 32.6 percent. Republic of Korea (-41.5%), Argentina (-12.8%), India (-4.7%), and China (Taiwan, -2.4%) also exported less product in 2019, while New Zealand..

ANALYSIS: Lobster Imports Higher in December; More In-Shell and Meat from Canada

Imports of lobster products into the U.S. increased for the second-straight month. December imports totaled 13.8 million pounds compared to 13.3 in December 2018. Still, the 2019 annual total is 4.4 percent behind last year; reflective of a 5.6 million-pound shortfall.

Product from Canada accounts for roughly 87 percent of lobster entering the country, so it’s not a surprise that Imports from Canada also increased for the second-straight month. In December, 7.6 percent more product entered the U.S. from...

FDA Opens Voluntary Qualified Importer Program Application Portal

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opened the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) on January 1, 2020 for the benefit period of October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021. The portal will remain open until May 31, 2020.

VQIP is a “voluntary fee-based program established by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).” The program provides expedited review and importation of human foods into the U.S. for importers who maintain a high level of control over food safety and security in their supply chains.

In its announcement of the opening...

USITC Launches Investigation on Impact of Illegal Seafood Imports on U.S. Fishermen

After receiving a letter from Ways & Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) launched an investigation on the impact of illegal seafood imports have on U.S. fishermen.

The USITC is currently seeking input to the extent to which seafood products obtained from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing are imported into the U.S. and the impact it has on America’s commercial fishermen...

ANALYSIS: YTD Pangasius Volume has Fallen Every Month Since March

November imports of pangasius frozen fillets totaled 9.5 million pounds and is the lowest November on record since 2008 brought in 4.8 million pounds. Import volume fell 6.2 percent from the previous month and 49.8 percent from November 2018 when imports totaled 18.8 million pounds.

On a YTD basis, January through November volume falls 41.8 percent below the same 2018 timeframe, or by 77.5 million pounds. YTD volume has fallen month-over-month since March 2019.

When looking at the previous 3-year average for the month of November...

Chinese Increasing Demand for Imported Seafood Has Ripple Effect on Economy

With the rapid increase of its imports, China is expected to replace Japan as the third-largest global seafood buyer in the near future. Its consumption is predicted to account for 38% of the global total by 2030, according to media reports. Furthermore, China's increasing purchasing power exerts influence on both worldwide seafood suppliers and also its domestic structure.

Now overseas suppliers have taken various measures to grab greater market shares in China. Iceland, for example, has just opened an online store in China. Meanwhile...

FDA Hits Vietnamese Tuna Company With Import Alert After Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Outbreak

The FDA placed Truong Phu Xanh Co, a Vietnamese tuna supplier on Import Alert following an investigation of incidents of scombrotoxin fish poisoning linked to yellowfin tuna.

The Import Alert now allows the FDA to detain any yellowfin tuna products without examination. The product will not be able to enter the US unless Truong Phu Xanh can prove it meets US food safety standards.

The FDA urged the company to initiate a voluntary recall of all its imported yellowfin tuna...

Chilean Salmon Making Its Way to the States as National Strikes Stall the Country

Tuesday marked the 26^th day of demonstrations in Chile, led by a national strike that shut down the majority of the country.

According to Reuters, alongside strikes in major cities, truck drivers and other demonstrators barricaded two major highways. The highways connect the capital city of Santiago with other cities and ports, leading to huge backups throughout the country.

According to industry sources, logistics to get fish out of Chile remain a challenge. However, product is making its way to the U.S. market and is available...

Salmon Production in Chile Remains Minimal as 3-Day National Holiday Approaches

Chilean salmon production continues to be slow as the public pushes for massive social reform. More calls for protests and marches are appearing on social media every day.

The latest demonstrations in Chile were a result of a recent cabinet reshuffle by President Sebastian Pinera. The move did not resonate with citizens as riots and vandals continue to rock the country’s capital city of Santiago.

Nearly a week of marches are in the books and according to Reuters 17 have died, thousands have been arrested and Chilean businesses...

Salmon Prices Feeling the Effects of Protests in Chile

Protests and strikes in Chile continued throughout the week as thousands of workers took to the streets of multiple cities to voice their displeasure over President Sebastian Pinera’s pledges of social reform.

The latest strikes of the Chilean workforce began after trade unions and other social groups wanted their voices heard in Pinera’s social reform plan, according to Reuters. 

The death toll rose to 18 and 6,000 citizens have been detained by authorities. The capital of Santiago continued its overnight curfew...

Canadian Seafood Company, Owner Pleads Guilty to Illegal Importing Fish into U.S.

Canadian-based seafood company Seven Seas Fish and its owner John Heras pleaded guilty to importation of previously refused food into the U.S.

The company and Heras admitted to illegally importing 9,000 pounds of potentially adulterated food into the country between October 2014 and August 2015.

Seven Sea bought 12,100 pounds of fish from a Mexican seafood company for just over $36,000 in 2014. The fish, frozen Corvina, a whitefish that has similarities to sea bass, was initially rejected entry into the U.S. because the FDA declared...