Chinese Fish Price Report - Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report Issue 2/2019

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

The Chinese Fish Price Report Editorial Board Audun Lem John Ryder Marcio Castro de Souza Editor in Chief Marcio Castro de Souza Coordinator Weiwei Wang Contributing Partner China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance (CAPPMA)

Dear Readers,

Contributing Editors Maria Catalano Silvio Alejandro Ricardo Catalano Garcia Helga Josupeit Anna Child Alessia Capasso Tianheng Zhang

It is a great pleasure to bring you this second edition of the Chinese Price Report.

Designer/Illustrator Silvio Alejandro Ricardo Catalano Garcia

Since this is a new publication, we would appreciate receiving your feedback and any suggestions for improvement – please e-mail us at globefish@fao.org.

EDITORIAL OFFICE GLOBEFISH Products, Trade and Marketing Branch (FIAM) Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and resources Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome, Italy Tel. +39 06 5705 57227 E-mail: globefish@fao.org www.fao.org/in-action/globefish REGIONAL OFFICES Latin America, Caribbean INFOPESCA, Casilla de Correo 7086, Julio Herrea y Obes 1296, 11200 Montevideo, Uruguay Tel: (598) 2 9028701/29028702 Fax: (598) 2 9030501 E-mail: infopesca@infopesca.org Website: www.infopesca.org

This new FAO GLOBEFISH publication introduces a new angle of production and price information on selected products in the Chinese market.

Information is a key element in order to assess and consolidate new markets for fish and fish products. In this regard, please also check other GLOBEFISH publications such as our flagship publication GLOBEFISH Highlights, and the European Price Report at the GLOBEFISH website: www.globefish.org.

In addition, we would like to highlight a new important and useful area of the GLOBEFISH website.

We have recently published in-depth information on international trade flows on shrimp, tuna, small pelagics, and salmon. Please download the full reports from the dedicated area at the GLOBEFISH website entitled “Global Statistical Update” under the “Market Reports” tab.

Africa INFOPESCE, BP 1747 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire Tel: (225) 20 21 31 98/20 21 57 75 E-mail: infopeche@aviso.ci/infopech@gmail.com Website: www.infopeche.ci

This new area of the GLOBEFISH website and the upcoming ones will try to reduce the information gap in connection with the international trade of fish and fish products. We are as always open to receiving suggestions from our readers.

Arab Countries INFOSAMAK, 71, Boulevard Rahal, El Meskini Casablanda 20 000, Morocco Tel: (212) 522540856 Fax: (212) 522540855 E-mail: info@infosamak.org infosamak@infosamak.org Website: www.infosamak.org

Moreover, we encourage all readers to register to receive the GLOBEFISH Newsletter by clicking on the specific button “Subscribe to our Newsletter” at the initial page of the GLOBEFISH website. When you register, you will receive timely information on major FAO activities and GLOBEFISH information regarding fish production, trade, and post-harvest activities.

Europe Eurofish, H.C. Andersens Boulevard 44-46, 1553 Copenhagen V, Denmark Tel: (+45) 333777dd E-mail: info@eurofish.dk Website: www.eurofish.dk Asia INFOFISH 1st Floor, Wisma LKIM Jalan Desaria Pulau Meranti, 47120 Puchong, Selangor DE Malaysia, Tel: (603) 80668112/80603734/ 80603738, E-mail: info@infofish.org Website: www.infofish.org

We hope this edition brings you useful data and good business!

Audun Lem Ph. D Deputy-Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

China INFOYU, Room 901, No 18, Maizidian street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100125, China Tel: (86) 01059195186 E-mail: infoyu@agri.gov.cn Website: www.infoyu.net Cover photo: ©pixabay/quangpraha

2

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Contents Policy updates - MARA issues guidelines to accelerate green development of the aquaculture industry - MARA implements new regulations on fishing licenses - MARA simplifies and standardizes fishing licenses - MEE, NDRC and MNR strengthen the integrated administration of fisheries along the coastline of Bohai Sea - Time limit for approval of import and export commodity inspection and authentication licenses shortened

04 04 05 05 05

Industry news - Fishery assistance insurance in Fujian Province reaches over RMB 50 billion - National action plan for eel (anguilla) protection launched in Shanghai - New genome mapping of Japanese seabass completed - Volume of Gymnocypris przewalskii in Qinghai Lake, Qinghai Province reaches 88.000 tonnes

06 06 06 06

The latest trends - Tilapia - Yellow catfish - Grass carp - Largemouth bass - Chinese snakehead

08 09 10 11 12

- Hybrid grouper - Whiteleg shrimp - Prussian carp - Turbot - Mandarin fish

Prices - Largehead hairtail - Japanese seabass - Largemouth bass - Squid - Common carp - Silver carp - Grass carp - Bighead carp - Prussian carp - Swimming crab - Pacific oyster - Scallop - Hard clam - Chinese razor clams

13 14 15 16 17

18 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 22

- Nori - Large yellow croaker - Turbot - Mandarin fish - Snakehead - Asians swamp eel - Abalone - Red swamp crayfish - Chinese mitten crab - Chinese softshell turtle - Japanese eel - Channel catfish - Tilapia - White leg shrimp

22 23 23 23 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 25

Events - The 21st International Frozen Seafood Exhibition

26

GLOBEFISH Market Reports are available from the GLOBEFISH website: www.fao.org/in-action/globefish. All rights reserved. No part of FAO/GLOBEFISH Chinese Fish Price Report may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise), without prior permission. Requests for use for this material (including purpose and extent) should be addressed to: GLOBEFISH-Fisheries and Aquaculture Department - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy.

The Chinese Fish Price report is in collaboration with CAPPMA. CAPPMA was founded in 1994, it is a national non-profit organization directed under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. CAPPMA is an independent association registered by law, consisting of sea food producers, processors, distributors, suppliers, and institutions for fisheries resarch and education.

3

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Policy updates

MARA issues guidelines to accelerate green development of the aquaculture industry To address the critical issues faced by the aquaculture industry in its sustainable development, ten ministries and commissions, including The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of China with the approval of the State Council, issued a set of guidelines entitled “Guidelines on Accelerating the Green Development of Aquaculture Industry�. The guidelines emphasize that China will formulate and issue plans for the appropriate use of tidal flats in aquaculture waters, upgrade traditional ponds, improve the treatment of aquaculture wastewater, facilities and equipment. Moreover, the guidelines stress that China will carry out in-depth demonstrations of healthy aquaculture methods and expand the scale of integrated rice-fish farming, as well as promote the standardized development of aquatic breeding industries. By issuing these new specific guidelines focused on promoting clean production and preventing aquaculture pollution, MARA aims to grow sustainable production methods while increasing both quality and efficiency.

MARA implements new regulations on fishing licenses On 1 January 2019, newly revised regulations on fishing licenses came into force. The revisions aim to achieve the following goals: 1. Strengthen the standardized management of fishing vessels: Based on international management rules, a classification method has been implemented for the length of vessels.

2. Decentralize the rights of auditing and approval: Approval authority for large-scale marine trawls, purse seines and cross-provincial purchases of fishing vessels, nets and tools has been delegated from MARA to provincial fishery authorities. The same will be true for the approval and issuance of specific fishing licenses.

3. Empower fishers by making information and processes more transparent: Fishery authorities must make services more accessible and publicly available. In addition, they will be required to integrate online services 4

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

nationwide in order to help streamline the process of issuing fishing vessel certificates. (This includes certificate application, examination, approval and issuance.)

4. Standardize the process of administrative examination and approval: Applicants can apply for certificates of fishing vessels, nets, tools and fishing licenses. The place of household registration of the legal representative must coincide with where the enterprise is registered.

5. Strengthen supervision during and after fishing: Monitor the content fishing log, the method of submission and any penalties for violations.

MARA simplifies and standardizes fishing licenses MARA has created unified country vessel codes indicating unique and permanent identification of each vessel.

At the same time, the content in each license has decreased. In addition, the indication of engine horsepower has been deleted and QR code management of licenses and certificates has been enabled to reduce counterfeiting and improve rapid identification.

MEE, NDRC and MNR strengthen the integrated administration of fisheries along the coastline of Bohai Sea China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) issued a joint Plan of Action for Comprehensive Improvement of the Bohai Sea Rim. The Plan states that by the end of 2019, mariculture that does not meet the requirements of regional control will be removed; mariculture will be prohibited in scenic seashore areas as determined by law and in bathing ground areas identified by local governments; and mariculture will be upgraded using environment-friendly buoys. By the end of 2020, pollution control plans for local mariculture will be developed in order to upgrade seawater ponds and industrial aquaculture in coastal counties (cities and districts). All of these actions aim to ensure that the ecological environment of the Bohai Sea Rim will no longer deteriorate and that the three-year administration will be effective.

Time limit for approval of import and export commodity inspection and authentication licenses shortened On 2 January 2019, the General Administration of Customs issued an announcement to shorten the time limit for approval of import and export commodity inspection and authentication licenses (licensing item code: 26021) to 13 working days. This means that a license decision will occur within 13 working days from the date of application.

5

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Industry news Fishery assistance insurance in Fujian Province reaches over RMB 50 billion Since December 2018, the total for fishery assistance insurance in Fujian Province came to RMB 50.134 billion, with a premium income of RMB 236 million. This government-led fishery insurance has been effectively implemented in Fujian and piloted in 20 counties and 6 cities in Fujian. The total sum of insurance reached RMB 345 million with a premium amount of RMB 19 313 800 and coverage for 655 farmers. These totals demonstrate impressive growth compared with 2008, when 109 farmers were compensated for a total of RMB 36 939 300.

National action plan for eel (anguilla) protection launched in Shanghai The nationwide action plan for eel protection promoted by the Fishery Bureau of MARA was launched in Shanghai on 11 December 2018. Simultaneously, the first batch of 3 000 brood stocks were released at the Yangtze Estuary, which will increase the stock amount and recover seed recourses in fresh waters. The use of tracking technologies will help identify the breeding migration path, and clarify any reproduction issues. It is hoped that this technology will help to fill gaps in research and provide a scientific basis to aid in the artificial reproduction of eel.

New genome mapping of Japanese seabass completed For the first time, the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, together with The Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) in Qingdao, has compiled a chromosome-level genome assembly of the spotted seabass. The study constructed the chromosome-level genome of the spotted seabass through a new generation of sequencing and high-through chromosome conformation capture (HI-C), a three-dimensional genome technology. 125 specific gene families were screened, which were closely related to the characteristics of the spotted seabass itself.

This genome compilation has provided resources and technologies for genome selection of breeding technologies and disease resistance breeding.

Volume of Gymnocypris przewalskii in Qinghai Lake, Qinghai Province reaches 88 000 tonnes In Qinghai Province, measures to protect the Gymnocypris przewalskii stock, a national second-class protected species, have been undertaken. These include halting fishing during breeding season, building sites for the release of fish stock and strengthening fishery monitoring. According to the latest monitoring results from December 2018, the amount of Gymnocypris przewalskii reached 88 000 tonnes, an increase of 68 000 tonnes (+8.4 percent) compared with the previous year. Compared to the volume registered in 2002 (2 592 tonnes), this is an increase of 34 times.

6

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

7

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Tilapia Oreochromis spp.

© Fish Biology Laboratory Xiamen University

During Spring Festival, tilapia prices were high as most processing plants remained closed. Prices quoted by processing plants in the west of Guangdong were between RMB 7–9 per kg and 6.6–8.6 per kg in Hainan, an increase of RMB 0.2-0.4 per kg higher compared with the same period last year.

Tilapia prices will remain high even after the Spring Festival, forecasted at above RMB 9.2 per kg and similar to prices from the same period last year.

According to an industry analysis, low fry stocking in the winter of 2018, coupled with the death of stock due to cold temperatures in the main production areas resulted in low stock in ponds, comprised mostly of 150–250 g per piece.

8

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Yellow catfish Tachysurus fulvidraco

Š Fish Biology Laboratory Xiamen University

Prices for yellow catfish continued to rise in early February, with an average increase of about RMB 0.8 per kg compared with prices at the end of 2018. Significant demand growth in the main consumption areas of Hunan, Hubei and Sichuan province were spurred by the Spring Festival and limited supply. Some distributors in Sichuan had to purchase fish from Guangdong and Zhejiang in order to meet local demand.

Unit: yuan/kg 32

0.25kg/pc, 19.4 0.2kg/pc, 18

24 16 8

Jan - 18 Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Note: Average ex-farm price from major producing areas Source: CAPPMA

9

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec Jan - 19

0

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus

Š Fish Biology Laboratory Xiamen University

Grass carp consumption was relatively low in late January and sales of grass carp dropped further due to high stock in ponds and the busy transportation during the Spring Festival season. Prices remained low in South China even after the Spring Festival as only a small number of migrant workers returned to urban areas. The grass carp price was also affected by the overall depressed prices of other aquatic products. Fish prices fluctuated to varying degrees in Central China due to influences from adverse weather, while fish prices remained steady in East China.

Source:

10

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoniodes

Š Fish Biology Laboratory Xiamen University

The demand for largemouth bass grew sharply during February. Prices for largemouth bass in some areas increased slightly when compared to prices from before the Spring Festival. The main reason for this increase was higher labour costs during the holiday.

11

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Chinese snakehead Channa spp.

Š Fish Biology Laboratory Xiamen University

The Spring Festival saw unusually low prices for Chinese snakehead, which had dropped by nearly RMB 4 per kg since mid-December 2018. Many farmers sold their large-size at reduced prices in order to pay their feed credit repayments, pond rent and holiday expenses. Meanwhile, distributors kept their prices down which lead to a sharp decline in snakehead prices for the past two months. In addition, stock levels of Chinese snakehead all over the country were higher than that of last year. Industry insiders predict that production and prices of Chinese snakehead will continue to be depressed in the first half of 2019. Many farmers have decided to cultivate other varieties.

12

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Hybrid grouper Epinephelusfuscoguttatus & Epinepheluslanceolatus hybrid

Š Fish Biology Laboratory Xiamen University

The price of hybrid grouper in major production areas from December 2018 to mid-January 2019 remained stable, after which it declined. Some distributors began storing up a significant amount of fish in order to wait for a better price. The declining price trend is due to a larger seed amount in 2018 compared with 2017, leading to an abundant supply of small-sized fish (0.5-0.8 kg per piece). The price of large-sized fish (>2 kg per piece) remained relatively stable. The oversupply of massive grouper from Taiwan Province of China also intensified the situation.

Hybrid grouper prices in selected areas

13

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei

The price of white leg shrimp overall has risen slightly since late-December 2018, largely due to a supply shortage. Shrimps farmed during the winter in South China were too small to sell and intense cold weather resulted in slow growth or death of stock. Consumption has also reportedly increased.

In contrast, limited farming in North China due to the environmental protection policies led to an insufficient supply of large-sized shrimp, causing prices to pick up. Farmers are reluctant to sell in anticipation of fetching even higher premium prices. Although prices did not reach a high during the Spring Festival, the market still looks promising.

14

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Prussian carp Carassius gibelio

Š Fish Biology Laboratory Xiamen University

Due to the continued sluggishness of the Prussian carp market in 2018, farmers had higher expectations for the year-end and start of 2019. However, the stock was so abundant that the overall price continued to decline slightly during the Spring Festival. Before the Spring Festival, the price in Wuhan rose briefly due to an increase in consumption, but the price in Guangzhou and Huai’an remained low. The market is expected to stay stagnant in the near term.

15

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Turbot Scophthalmus maximus

Š Fish Biology Laboratory Xiamen University

At the beginning of January, some aquaculture facilities in major farming areas such as Longkou, Haiyang and Laizhou of Shandong provinces had been dismantled due to environmental protection and urban construction. This resulted in a production decrease and less commercial fish on the market in February. As increased consumption occurred during the Spring Festival, turbot prices rose by RMB 4–6 per kg month-on-month (MoM) in January, with the highest price exceeding RMB 60 per kg. The water temperature in most farming areas reached the lowest of the year, especially in the northeast region, also affecting production negatively. Most farmers chose to sell turbot for a favourable price when the price steadily increases.

16

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi

Š Fish Biology Laboratory Xiamen University

At the beginning of 2019, overall prices for Mandarin fish were unstable. Since most farmers chose to sell fish at the end of the Lunar Year, the price of unsorted fish declined while average-sized fish (0.40.75 kg per piece) rose slightly. The large-sized fish were abundant and oversupplied, which drove the price down to RMB 56-58 per kg, a decline of about RMB 5 per kg compared with last year. Prices are expected to rise after the harvest, due to favorable market conditions for average-sized fish following the Spring Festival. According to distributors, the overall sale of Mandarin fish in 2018 decreased by 33 percent compared to 2017. However, prices regained strength after the Spring Festival, with sale volumes doubling in January 2018 compared with the ending months in 2017. Labour costs increased during the festival – reflected by an overall modest price increase in Guangdong by RMB 1 per kg, while in Guangxi and Hubei, the price increased by RMB 4 per kg.

17

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Prices This monthly price bulletin covers 29 species and 38 product forms across 43 wholesale markets. Since last month, 32 percent of monitored products have increased in price while 29 percent have declined. The remaining 39 percent have remained stable.

January saw price increases both month-over-month (MoM) and year-over-year (YoY) due to sufficient supply and soaring demand. The price of marine products rose significantly, while the price of freshwater products slightly decreased as supply continuously grew.

In general, the price of marine products for February demonstrate a reversed U-shape. Consumption increased before the start of the Spring festival, and the overall market price increased tremendously. Prices remained high until the Lantern Festival and then quickly returned to normal.­

18

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

19

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

20

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

21

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

22

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

23

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

24

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

25

Issue 2/2019

Chinese Fish Price Report

Events The 21st International Frozen Seafood Exhibition organized by CONXEMAR will take place from 1-3 October 2019 at Instituto Feiral de Vigo (IFEVI). CONXEMAR is held annually in Vigo, an important fishing port in Europe and serves as the meeting point for the entire processing branch, distributors, importers and exporters of frozen seafood products.

GLOBEFISH will be present at CONXEMAR 2019. Come visit us at our booth!

More information on The 21st International Frozen Seafood Exhibition can be found at: https://conxemar.com

26

THE CHINESE FISH PRICE REPORT

GLOBEFISH Products, Trade and Marketing Branch (FIAM) Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome, Italy Tel +39 06 5705 57227 www.fao.org/in-action/globefish #FAOfish