Ecuador's Shrimp Sector Assessing Export Markets Amid Coronavirus Outbreaks

Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (Cámara Nacional De Acuacultura) noted that the country’s shrimp sector is monitoring the impact that COVID-19 (coronavirus) will have on its exports.

With countries implementing travel bans and imposing other public health regulations, the sector said that the consumption of products, including Ecuadorian shrimp will be limited. The chamber noted Italy, which announced a general quarantine until April 3.

“Italy today within the European Union is the most affected country and this country acquires 30% of our exports to the European Union..."

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...

Seafood Trader Convicted of Illegally Smuggling Endangered European Baby Eels

The United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced the conviction of Gilbert Khoo, who illegally smuggled critically endangered baby European eels at Southwark Crown Court on February 7.

Khoo was shown to have engaged in illegal trading out of the UK of European eels between 2015 and 2017, the CPS said. He failed to inform authorities of his profit-making illegal exporting activity.

“Khoo was trading these animals purely for a financial gain,” Marion Longford, of the CPS Specialist Fraud Division, said. “He had no regard...

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...

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...

Food Export Northeast Trade Mission: Spreads US Lobster in Dubai, Introduces Jonah Crab in Spain

As the Northeast fishing industry deals with effects of tariffs imposed on China and climate change that may shift species as they look for colder waters, Food Export USA-Northeast led a trade mission to Dubai and Spain.

In Dubai, Food Export aimed to open the door for American lobster in what is a lucrative export market. Meanwhile, Jonah crab was introduced to a new market in Spain. The mission's aim was to help combat pressures and help the industry diversify through new export...

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...

Protests Continue in Chile as Product Reaches Market

Unrest in Chile continued this week as protesters yet again took to the streets. The number of demonstrators was smaller on Monday, but the outrage among the country’s citizens doesn’t appear to be shrinking, according to the Associated Press.

Over the course of the protests, salmon production has been limited due to curfews, road blockades. Multiple plants have had to battle looting incidents and fires as well.

Some salmon producers continue to feel significant pressure, especially in the port city of Quellon.

According to Salmon Expert Chile, protesters are blocking roads...

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 ...

Vietnam-based Saigon Food Implements Coronavirus Measures, Precautions

Saigon Food, a Vietnamese food manufacturer, provided a look into the measures the company has taken since coronavirus outbreaks have impacted the country.

The company, which employs over 2500 people had its workforce return on January 20 and worked a normal schedule. A representative for the company’s Board of Directors, General Director Nguyen Quang Tuong sent a letter to all employees, he called for improving prevention.

"COVID-19 is dangerous but if we know how to prevent it, we will not be suffered from it,” Tuong wrote according to...

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...

SSPO Praise U.S.’ Decision to Pull Back Tariffs on Scottish Salmon

The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) was relieved to hear that the United States has decided to pull back tariffs on Scottish salmon as trade disputes between the E.U. and U.S. continue.

In December 2019, the USTR listed salmon fillets on its list of products that were targeted for increased tariffs. Now, salmon has been removed from the revised list.

“We are relieved that our farmers will be able to continue sending top quality Scottish salmon to the USA without any new barriers in their way,” Hamish Macdonell, Director...

Norway's Salmon Export Value Jumps to Kick off 2020

One month into 2020, Norway saw a 15 percent increase in export value compared to January of 2019, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council.

In total, Norway exports 207,000 tonnes of seafood, totaling NOK 9.8 billion in January. The volume remained the same, but the value jumped by NOK 1.2 billion in 2020.

One of the key reasons behind the growth was salmon. Norway’s salmon export volume saw a slight boost, while the value jumped up by 21 percent compared to a year ago...

Russian Crab Producers on Verge of Record Losses Due to Coronavirus

The ever spreading coronavirus may result in serious losses of Russian crab producers supplying their products to China – the main sales market for them, according to recent statements from producers and industry analysts.

As German Zverev, president of the All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (WARPE), said in an interview to the Russian RBC business paper, the losses of Russian crab exporters in Q1 of the current year may reach $80 million USD in revenue due to lower demand for...

Russia Plans to Increase Pollock Catch in 2020

Russia plans to increase the volume of its pollock harvest up to 1.8 million tonnes this year. That will be significantly higher than the figures for 2019, according to recent statements by some leading local fishermen and state officials.

So far, implementation of these plans has already been confirmed by Alexey Buglak, president of the Russian Association of Pollock Producers. Buglak said the current situation with pollock stocks in Russia remains favorable and...

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...

Vietnam Turns to China for Saving its Basa Industry, but Uncertanties Loom in the Neighboring Market

Vietnam’s basa prices have been on a roller coaster ride in recent years. The previous strong demand used to push prices upward, but now they have plummeted. As local statistics show, farm gate prices have dropped to between VND19,000 and VND20,000 per kg, about VND 2,000 to VND 3,000 per kg lower than average aquaculture costs.

Some farmers complain that the more basa they sell, the more money they lose. According to some media, this dive is mainly a result of the U.S. cutting purchases and ...

Shrimp Prices Rise in China but Suppliers Hesitate to Export to Oriental Market

Recently China has witnessed an obvious increase in shrimp prices. Statistics from the October point to an increase of about 3,000 yuan to 4,000 yuan per ton ($427.98-$57.64/ton USD) for its domestic shrimp, and local farmers are holding shrimps longer, waiting for higher prices. The increase is between USD $0.40 to $0.50 per kg for those imports from Ecuador, Vietnam and India.

Its price increase is mainly a result from shrimp shortages, which in turn is caused by several factors. Diseases, for example, ...