Overview of seafood exports from Russia's Far East in September 2010

In September 2010 the most interesting developments in shipments of Russian Pacific seafood to main foreign markets (other than European) included a comparably high activity of shipments of frozen pollock roe and frozen halibut, as well as those of frozen salmon to the Japanese market against the background of a dramatic decline of its shipments to China, according to the overview prepared by analysts of http://www.megafishnet.com/ (https://www.fishnet.ru/) based on Japanese and Russian sources.

In the ninth month of the year 2010 brisker development was observed for shipments of frozen shrimp to Japan, live hairy crab to Japan and especially frozen snow crab to the USA, however in general the activity of shipments of Russian crab products to main markets was below the last year result, which was typical for the previous months as well.

Herring

In September 2010 shipments of frozen herring of the Russian origin to Japan were either suspended or discontinued at all. The total import volume from the start of the year was therefore slightly below 5000 tonnes, still nearly 15% or more than 600 tonnes up on last year. The average import price through the period from January 2010 amounted to ca.90 Yen per kilo or ca.1.00 USD per kilo, 12% down on last year. However, it hardly declined that much in USD equivalent because in the course of several months the exchange rate of Yen had been 9-10% up on last year.

The Japanese import of frozen Russian herring fillets in September 2010 grew by 9% on August 2010 to ca.500 tonnes, practically on a par with the last year result. However, as in the previous months shipments were generally weaker than last year the total import volume through the first three quarters of the year was limited to only 3300 tonnes, more than 21% up on last year. The average import price in September 2010 amounted to ca.345 Yen per kilo, 5.5% up on August 2010, but 6% down on September 2009 (in USD terms it amounted to 4.05 USD per kilo, ca.0.10 USD per kilo up on last year). The average indications since the year start declined by 11% to 355 Yen per kilo.

Salmon

In September 2010 China imported ca.11,600 tonnes of frozen Russian salmon (mostly pink salmon and chum salmon), nine times up on August 2010, but 66% or ca.23,000 tonnes down on September 2009. Taking into account that in August 2010 the shipments were also six times higher than last year, the total volume of shipments since the start of the year amounted to only 13,500 tonnes, 71% or 32.5% down on last year.

The average import price in September 2010 declined by 18% through the month to ca.2.60 USD per kilo, but it was still 48% higher than last year. The average indications through the period of the year start (August and September shipments accounting for more than 95% of shipments) amounted to nearly 2.65 USD per kilo, 52% or 0.09 USD per kilo up on last year.

The volume of the Japanese import of frozen Russian sockeye in September 2010 decreased to less than 4800 tonnes, ca.18.5% down on August import, and the average import price declined by another 4% to less than 560 Yen per kilo (ca.6.60 USD per kilo), however as compared to last year it turned out to be 3% higher (taking into account strengthening of Yen exchange rate the USD price was nearly 14% higher than last year). Despite nearly a 25% decline of September shipments, comparably brisker shipments in July and August 2010 (mostly due to resumed import products from driftnet fisheries) provided for a general increase of import shipments in the first three quarters of the year by 14% to 15,650 tonnes. At the same time, the average import price rose by 13% to 590 Yen per kilo mostly due to resumption of shipments after a one-year break in shipments of more expensive driftnet sockeye.

The Japanese import of frozen Russian coho in September 2010 dramatically jumped and nearly reached 300 tonnes versus only 15 tonnes in August 2010 and zero volumes in September 2009. In general, from the year start the import volume amounted to nearly 420 tonnes, while last year import was limited to only several tonnes, and such rise of shipments was attributed mostly to resumption of sales of driftnet products. In September 2010 the average import price declined by 13% on August 2010 to ca.335 Yen per kilo (ca.3.95 USD per kilo). In the period under analysis it also amounted to ca.335 Yen per kilo versus less than 280 Yen per kilo last year.

Apart from sockeye and coho, in September 2010 Japan also imported ca.670 tonnes of frozen Pacific salmon of the Russian origin, 31% down on August 2010, 46% up on the import volume in September 2009. In general, through the period from January 2010 the import volume amounted to nearly 3000 tonnes, 185% up on last year, and the average import price rose by 34% to 350 Yen per kilo. In September 2010, it was however limited to less than 290 Yen per kilo (ca.3.40 USD per kilo), 18% down on August 2010.

Shipments of processed products of the Russian origin to Japan were not registered again, just like shipments of fresh salmon from Russia.

Cod species

The Chinese import of Russian products in September 2010 was limited to less than 7500 tonnes, 15% down on August 2010 and 10% up on September 2009. In the first three quarters of the year the import shipments totaled less than 42,500 tonnes, more than 25% down on last year.

The average import price declined by 5.5% on August 2010 to slightly below 2.40 USD per kilo. However, as compared to last year, in September it appeared to be nearly 14.5% higher. The average indications for the first nine months of the year rose by ca.18% to 2.50 USD per kilo.

The Japanese import of frozen Russian cod in September 2010 was again limited to less than 50 tonnes, nearly two times down on 2009 (in August import went down by ca.60%). Nevertheless, in general in the first three quarters of the year it increased by 73% to 1220 tonnes, and the average import price declined by only 6% to 240 Yen per kilo (in September 2010 it was also at the level approximately equal to the September exchange rate of 2.85 USD per kilo).

The Japanese import of frozen Russian pollock in September 2010 declined nearly by 60% on August 2010 to ca.50 tonnes, 75% down on last year. However, thanks to brisker sales in the previous months the total volume of import shipments from January to September 2010 jumped by 60% on last year to ca.750 tonnes. The average import price through the period amounted to ca. 145 Yen per kilo, 16% down on last year, but in September 2010 it was already below the last year result by 3.5% and amounted to 165 Yen per kilo (ca.1.95 USD per kilo).

Bottomfish

In September 2010 the Chinese import of frozen white halibut originating from Russia was again limited to only several tonnes, and in general from the beginning of the year it amounted to only 130 tonnes, nearly 55% down on last year. The average import price for the period under analysis leveled at 5.00 USD per kilo, and in September 2010 it already made ca.8.55 USD per kilo, nearly 240% up on last year.

Blue halibut remained the dominating article in shipments of frozen Russian halibut to China. In the meantime, the volume of shipments in September 2010 exceeded the last year result by 77% and amounted to ca.220 tonnes, and in the first three quarters of the year it amounted to nearly 1950 tonnes, 400 tonnes or 25% up o n last year. The average import price through the period under analysis grew by nearly 45% on last year to 2.65 USD per kilo, but in September 2010 it was 20% higher than last year and amounted to only 1.65 USD per kilo.

The Chinese import of frozen Russian flounder amounted to only 1100 tonnes, 35% down on last year. However, as in the previous months shipments were developing much more briskly than in 2009 the total import shipments through the first three quarters of the year jumped nearly by 60% to ca.11,350 tonnes. The average import price in September 2010 was limited to 1.00 USD per kilo, 20% down on last year, but in general through the period from the start of the year it rose by ca.7% to ca.1.40 USD per kilo.

The Japanese import of frozen halibut from Russia in September 2010 grew dramatically brisker with an 85% rise on August 2010 (the shipments namely reaching 700 tonnes, practically twice up on September import in 2009). From January to September 2010 its shipments to Japan rose by 80% to 4150 tonnes. The average import price for the period dropped by 7% to 540 Yen per kilo (ca.6.40 USD per kilo based on September exchange rate) and in September 2010 it turned out to be slightly below that level.

The Japanese import of frozen flounder from Russia as per late September 2010 reached 1000 tonnes, slightly up on last year. In September 2010 its shipments were developing more briskly than in 2009 (but the volume of shipments amounted to only 75 tonnes). The average import price declined by 10% to less than 210 Yen per kilo, but in September 2010 it amounted to ca.220 Yen per kilo or ca.2.60 USD per kilo.

Import of frozen ocean perch from Russia to Japan in September 2010 also grew dramatically with the total volume cleared at customs amounting to 1350 tonnes, 40% up on August 2010. As compared to last year, the import shipments in September more than doubled and the total imports from January 2010 grew by 96% to 4550 tonnes. The average import price for the period under analysis amounted to ca.330 Yen per kilo (ca.3.85 USD per kilo), only 6% down on last year.

Shipments of frozen Atka mackerel from Russia to Japan in September 2010 grew much slower with the total imports amounting to less than 1300 tonnes, some two times up on August 2010. As compared to last year, the import shipments in September 2010 turned out to be 35% smaller, but in general in the first nine months of the year the import volumes increased by more than 30% to ca.18,500 tonnes, and the rise could be partially attributed to a 15% rise of the Russian harvest (as per late November 2010 it reached 58,000 tonnes). The average import price through the period under analysis turned out to be nearly 5% higher than last year and amounted to ca.230 Yen per kilo. In September the price indications were close to that level (namely amounting to ca.2.70 USD per kilo).

Pollock roe

The Japanese import of frozen Russian pollock raw material in September 2010 grew dramatically slower with the shipments totaling only 150 tonnes, seven times down on August 2010, but 11% up on September 2009. The total imports since the year start exceeded the last year result by 59% and amounted to 24,450 tonnes. Evidently, such a rise of shipments of Russian products could compensate for a strong (nearly 30%) declined of shipments of Alaskan (Bering Sea) pollock, which were limited to less than 12,200 tonnes as per late September 2010.

The average import price of Russian products in September 2010 declined by 200 tonnes or 47% on August 2010, and amounted to ca.230 tonnes, the same 47% up on September 2009. As per late September 2010 the total volume of Russian shipments amounted to only 2520 tonnes, 21.5% down on the respective result of last year.

The average price of the Chinese import in September 2010 seriously rose after a decline in the previous month, namely by more than 40%, and reached nearly 12.20 USD per kilo thus becoming the highest result since October 2008. As compared to September 2009, the above mentioned price rose nearly twice, but taking into account that the September import was fairly limited, it did not exert a noticeable influence on the total result from the beginning of the year, which was limited to only 8.00 USD per kilo, nearly 5% or ca.0.40 USD per kilo down on last year.

Imports of the Russian raw material to South Korea in September 2010 decreased by only 20% on August 2010, but it amounted to ca.420 tonnes, 63% up on last year. Nevertheless, due to weak development of shipments in the previous months in general through the period from January to September 2010 imports totaled only ca.4230 tonnes, 16% down on last year.

The average import price continued rising in September 2010, which was actually observed both in August and July 2010. By September 2010 it reached the level of 10.00 USD per kilo, 8% up on August 2010 and 32.5% up on September 2009. However, the average indications from the beginning of the year were limited to less than 7.70 USD per kilo, only 9% up on last year.

Salmon caviar

Shipments of salted and other processed sieved and sack salmon caviar of the Russian origin to Japan was not registered in September 2010, and the import volume of frozen products was limited to only 20 tonnes, ca.12 times down on September 2009, but the decline of shipments from Russia was fairly expected as the salmon harvest almost halved in 2010. Just like in August 2010 the average import price in the following month was limited to only 500 Yen per kilo or ca.6.00 USD per kilo (such low prices could be explained by dominating shipments of sockeye caviar which is in low demand on the Russian market).

Herring roe

In September 2010 the Japanese import of frozen herring roe from Russia was not registered again, and import of salted products amounted to only ca.100 tonnes, two times down on August 2010 and 12% down on September 2009. The total shipments of the product from the year start rose by nearly 23% to 300 tonnes. The average import price through the period under analysis declined by 19% to 830 Yen per kilo, and in September 2010 it descended to below 800 Yen per kilo (ca.9.45 USD per kilo), 400 Yen down on last year.

Crabs

The Japanese import of live crab in September 2010 went down by 9% on the previous month for shipments of red kings, 5% for shipments of snow crabs and 16% for shipments of hairy crab. But at the same time, import of hairy crab turned out to be 31% higher than last year and amounted to ca.260 tonnes, while in September 2010 shipments of red king crab decreased by 41% and those of snow crabs by 47%. As a result, as per late September 2010 the total volume of shipments of live red king crab (evidently, blue kings inclusive) amounted to only 1900 tonnes, 58% down on the respective result of last year. Shipments of snow crab went down by 44% to 10,000 tonnes and those of hairy crab jumped by 38% to 1600 tonnes.

The average import price of life hairy crab through the period under analysis rose despite a strong increase of volume shipments by 12% to 720 Yen per kilo and in September 2010 it was already at the level of 910 Yen per kilo (ca.10.75 USD per kilo). As for shipments of red king crabs it grew nearly by 300 Yen per kilo or 55% to 840 Yen per kilo. In September 2010 it also amounted to nearly 910 Yen per kilo, nearly 50% down on last year. As for shipments of snow crabs through the period under analysis the average indications amounted to ca.420 Yen per kilo, 37% up on last year. In September 2010 it was also close to that level (ca.4.95 USD per kilo).

As for shipments of frozen crab products from Russia to Japan the price rise remained much smaller. The average CIF import price for frozen king crab from the year start by the end of September 2010 rose by only 6% to 1480 Yen per kilo, while in September 2010 it was even limited to less than 1420 Yen per kilo (ca.16.75 USD per kilo), 12% down on September 2009. The average import price of frozen snow crab in January-September 2010 leveled at 900 Yen per kilo, only 4% up on last year, but the import volumes remained practically on a par with the last year result and amounted to 9500 tonnes as per late September 2010. In the meantime, shipments of king crab shipments (red and blue) declined by 40% to 2200 tonnes. However, in September 2010 the average import price for frozen snow crab from Russia amounted to nearly 960 Yen per kilo (ca.11.30 USD per kilo), 14% up on last year.

The Japanese import of frozen Russian crab in September 2010 was much slower than in August 2010, though the autumn fishing season had already taken off. Import shipments of king crab went down by 64% to 40 tonnes through the month, while those of frozen snow crab decreased by 55% to less than 980 tonnes. As compared to last year September shipments of king crab went down even more strongly by 82%, while shipments of frozen snow crab went down by only 23%.

At the same time, the US import of frozen snow crab from Russia in September 2010 rose by 120% to ca.840 tonnes on last year and the result for the first three quarters of the year rose by 28.5% or 1000 tonnes to ca.4500 tonnes, thus accounting for 11% of the total import volume of frozen snow crab from the USA, while last year the share of the Russian products was limited to only 7%. The volume of the September import of frozen king crab of the Russian origin (red, blue and golden) was limited to only 120 tonnes, 55% down on August 2010 shipments and 84% down on August 2009.

In general, through the period from the year start the USA imported only a little more than 6800 tonnes of frozen king crab of the Russian origin, 40% down on last year (just like the case with its shipments to Japan). the average import price from the year start amounted to nearly 17.00 USD per kilo, 8.5% up on last year. In September 2010 it was at the level of 19.00 USD per kilo versus less than 13.00 USD per kilo in September 2009. The average import price for frozen snow crab from Russia rose by 0.50 USD per kilo or nearly 9% to 6.50 USD per kilo. In September 2010 it already leveled at 7.40 USD per kilo, 22% up on last year. nevertheless, as for shipments of Canadian products prices rose even quicker and the difference in prices grew bigger in the current year to ca.2.00 USD per kilo versus the last year 1.50 USD per kilo.

The Chinese import of frozen Russian crab in September 2010 again dramatically declined and strong instability of shipments of Russian products became one of the most evident trends in development of shipments of frozen crab to China. The import volume was limited to only 100 tonnes (judging by the official figures), twice down on August 2010. At the same time, the September result turned out to be the lowest in the first nine months of the year, when the total imports amounted to only 2000 tonnes, 53% down on last year.

The average import price however turned out to be very small and amounted to only ca.2.35 USD per kilo, 12% down on last year. The average indications through the period under analysis also leveled at 2.30 USD per kilo, 27% down on last year.

Shrimps

In September 2010 Japan imported 320 tonnes of frozen products of the Russian origin, 22% up on August 2010 and 108% up on September 2009. Partly thanks to such a strong rise the total volume of shipments from the beginning of the year grew already by 5% to nearly 5500 tonnes by the end of September 2010. The average import price through the period under analysis was 15% behind the last year result and amounted to ca.1020 Yen per kilo, while in August 2010 it leveled at 1200 Yen per kilo and in September 2010 it reached 1240 Yen per kilo (ca.14.65 USD per kilo).

Sea urchins

The Japanese import of live sea urchins of the Russian origin in September 2010 grew slower with the officially registered shipments totaling only 270 tonnes, 11% down on August 2010. Nevertheless, in general from the beginning of the year the shipments amounted to 6600 tonnes, 5% or 400 tonnes down on last year.

The average import price for the first nine months of the year rose by 6.5% to ca.580 Yen per kilo and the total import value remained at the last year level of ca.4 billion Yen. In September 2010 the average import price was however 8% down on last year and amounted to ca.590 Yen per kilo (ca.7.00 USD per kilo). The average indications through the ninth month of the year declined by 24% or 185 Yen per kilo.

Squid

The Chinese import of frozen squid from Russia remained comparably high with the total imports again amounting to ca.300 tonnes, approximately twice up on last year. However, in general through the period of nine months the import shipments of Russian products were 33% down on 2009 and amounted to only ca.650 tonnes.

The average import price in September 2010 slightly decreased to 0.45 USD per kilo, 53% down on September 2009. For the period from January 2010 the average price amounted to ca.0.50 USD per kilo, 35% down on last year.

Surimi

The Japanese import of pollock surimi of the Russian origin in September 2010 went down by one third on August 2010 and was limited to less than 70 tonnes, but last year even such low shipments were not registered at all. The total imports from the year start amounted to more than 800 tonnes, nearly six times up on last year. The average import price through the period under analysis amounted to 240 Yen per kilo, 47% down on last year. The average price result for September 2010 amounted to ca.235 Yen per kilo (ca.2.80 USD per kilo).