[ TRADE AND MARKETS ] systems were established early in Croatia, this form of aquaculture was not developed significantly, because of economic, geopolitical, and market conditions. According to Želimir Filic’, who is currently vice president of the MEDAQUA (Mediterranean Aquaculture) Committee of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP), president of the Croatian Aquaculture Association, and worked formerly for the aquaculture industry, these conditions have improved over the years and today Croatia has approximately 30 companies producing marine fish. The companies range in capacity from 50 t for small, family-run
farms to 4.000 t for the largest companies. Most farms are located in protected bays; larger ones are in semi-offshore waters. Filic’ explains that three hatcheries supply ca. 60 of the fingerlings. Two have a capacity of 1–2 million fry (ca. 2 g). A larger hatchery operated by Cromaris, with a capacity of 15 million fry (2–5 g), is currently under reconstruction; it will have a capacity of 30 million fry. Approximately 40 is imported, mainly from Italy and France. Croatia’s aquaculture is subject to rigorous veterinary and sanitary control and transparent labelling and can deliver the fish within 24 hours of harvesting, including exports, after accession to the EU and procedures were
Spanish seabream production rebounds in 2012
As in the case of seabream, there is a considerable volatility in price caused by the large number of foreign operators and traders. After three years of decline, seabream production in 2012 reached 19.430 t, up 14.8 on 2011, but below the maximum annual production of 2009 (23.930 t).
The production of seabass in Spain in 2012 was 14.270 tons, 0.7 lower than in 2011, when it was 14.367 t. The lower production in Spain contrasts with the marked increase of its production in the rest of the Mediterranean. The average first-sales price of seabass in the Spanish market in 2012 was EUR 5.42/kg, 9.3 higher than in 2011 (EUR 4.96/kg).
The average first-sales price of seabream in 2012 was EUR 4.31/kg, 13.8 lower than in 2011 (EUR 5/kg). The drop in price is the result of several factors: a contraction in demand in the Spanish market, the downward pressure on prices in the final stages of the value chain, and forced sales to achieve liquidity. William Anthony
simplified. Fish are sold in wholesale and retail mostly fresh, whole, but are also processed: gutted, filleted, smoked, and marinated fillets.
New products and promotion campaigns support canned tuna consumption
Markets for canned tuna improve in EU, US The canned tuna market fared better with improved imports by the European Union and the US. Canned tuna demand has also increased in many non-conventional markets.
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n the Western Pacific the four-month FAD (fish aggregating device) fishing ban remained in force from 1 July to 31 October 2013, but although catches reduced, the price of frozen skipjack for delivery to Thailand dropped in July and again in August before increasing midSeptember. In the Eastern Pacific tuna supplies to canners in Ecuador dropped significantly from the coastal and deep-sea fisheries since late July 2013 because of adverse weather conditions, coupled with strong currents and colder ocean water temperatures. The Inter- American Tropical Tuna Commission fishing closed period was also in place from 29 July to 28 September and 35 of the fishing fleet was not fishing in that area. www.eurofishmagazine.com
The remaining vessels observed the second closure from 18 November 2013 to 18 January 2014. In the Indian Ocean skipjack catches improved while yellowfin volumes did not change significantly. In the Atlantic Ocean, fishing off the African coast remained favourable and prices of skipjack and yellowfin in Abidjan declined, while in Spain skipjack and yellowfin prices fell though yellowfin prices were stable in Italy.
New products spur canned tuna consumption in US There was a marginal decline in air-flown fresh tuna imports during the first half of 2013 although the
import value increased from USD 107 million to USD 110 million, which could be linked with increased imports of high value Pacific bluefin tuna. Total imports of non-canned tuna during this time were 122,810 tonnes valued at USD 250 million compared with 143,075 tonnes and USD 232 million during the same period of the previous year. Nearly 80 of these were frozen loins and steaks. Demand for fresh chilled sashimi tuna remained stable in the US, which is now the second largest market for noncanned tuna products. The confidence of US consumers improved slightly as a result of positive economic indications and there were signs of willingness to spend more on products
that meet changing tastes and provide value for money. To revive demand for canned tuna major tuna packers engaged in promoting canned tuna products as well as introduced new premium and convenience products. As an indication of recovering domestic demand, canned tuna imports into the US continued to show strong growth in 2013. During the first six months imports of canned (and pouch) tuna grew by 12.2 in volume and 17.8 in value against the same period last year. Thailand remained the largest single supplier, while 83 of the total canned tuna imported into the US came from countries of Association of SouthEast Asian Nations, and shipments from this group increased by around 12 in 2013. Eurofish Magazine 1 / 2014
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