Overview of seafood exports from the Russian Far East in December 2009

In December 2009 serious changes in the general character of shipments of main seafood commodities from the Russian Far East to main markets were not observed, though import of frozen roe of pollock, cod and ocean perch was comparably brisk just like import of Russian crab and salmon to China and pollock roe to South Korea, according to the overview prepared by analysts of http://www.megafishnet.com/ (https://www.fishnet.ru/) based on Japanese and Russian sources.

As the closing month of the year 2009 December has highlighted a certain decline of import of frozen pollock roe to three main directions (Japan, China and South Korea), a considerable increase of frozen salmon roe import to Japan and frozen salmon to China, a rise of frozen crab import to the USA and its decline to Japan and China, a decrease of flounder import to Japan and China, as well as a certain fall of import of frozen sockeye and live crab to Japan. Besides, the US import of pollock fillets and pollock surimi has been on a rise.

Salmon

In December 2009 the Japanese import of frozen sockeye got practically halved as compared to November 2009, still rising by 14.5% on December 2008 to ca.19,400 tonnes only. The average import price in 2009 remained on a par with the previous year indications and amounted to ca.520 Yen per kilo. In December 2009 it appeared to be slightly above 535 Yen per kilo, 11.5% up on December 2008, though there were still no reports on resumption of shipments from marine (driftnet) operations.

Import of Russian chum and chinook salmon to Japan in 2009 decreased correspondingly by 74% and 32% to 150 tonnes and 2170 tonnes. The average import price of chinook salmon declined by 8% to ca.295 Yen per kilo and the average import price of chum salmon dropped by 17% to less than 245 Yen per kilo.

The US market of frozen sockeye from Russia declined by 52% through the year to ca.60 tonnes, and the average import price amounted to ca.8.00 USD per kilo, 23% up on 2008.

The Chinese import of frozen Russian salmon (mostly pink salmon) in December 2009 was limited to less than 5300 tonnes, 59% down on November 2009, but still 35% up on December 2008. The total import volume in 2009 soared by 245% to 81,700 tonnes. The average CIF import price in December 2009 amounted to a little less than 1.95 USD per kilo, 7% down on November 2009, but 18.5% up on December 2008. Nevertheless, through the twelve months of the year 2009 it declined by approximately 5% or 0.10 USD per kilo to ca.1.80 USD per kilo.

Herring

The Japanese import of frozen herring of the Russian origin in December 2009 was progressing much more actively than in November 2009 thanks to which the import volume of ca.430 tonnes practically equaled the result of December 2008 (a rare development for last year). The import volume through the year 2009 was limited to only 5100 tonnes, 37% down on the previous year 2008. The average import price declined by 25% to below 100 Yen per kilo. Moreover, in December 2009 it was even below 80 Yen per kilo.

Import of frozen Russian herring fillets to Japan decreased by 27% to only 5650 tonnes and in December 2009 it was limited only to 520 tonnes thus displaying a 40% decline. The average import price through the year under analysis dropped by 3% to ca.385 Yen per kilo, and in December 2009 it amounted to only ca.350 Yen per kilo, 28% down on last year.

Pollock and other cod species

The Japanese import of frozen Russian pollock grew to 200 tonnes in December 2009, however in the course of the year the total import amounted to only ca.730 tonnes, 25.5% down on last year. The average import price through the year amounted to 165 Yen per kilo just like in December 2009, but in general it was in keeping with the result of 2008. Import of the Russian cod to Japan in 2009 rose nearly by 12% to ca.3270 tonnes, the total import in December 2009 exceeded 1000 tonnes, which was a fairly good result for shipments from Russia as the Japanese market traditionally focused on shipments of frozen cod from Alaska. The average import price in 2009 fell by 41% and even failed to reach 270 Yen per kilo (in November and December it was at the same level).

The Chinese official import of Russian products (mostly headed and gutted pollock) in December 2009 appeared to be nearly 1000 tonnes up on December 2008 and amounted to 5900 tonnes, but that rise was a very rare exception. The total import volume through the year fell by 69% to only ca.75,200 tonnes (however, the above figures could hardly reflect the real situation with shipments of the Russian raw). The average import price through the year amounted to 2.15 USD per kilo, 9% up on the result of the previous year, but in December 2009 it was 10% down on 2008 and amounted to ca.2.55 USD per kilo.

The US import of Russian pollock fillets reached 2300 tonnes in 2009, nearly 330% up on 2008. The average import price levelled at 4.20 USD per kilo, practically on a par with 2008.

Import of Russian pollock surimi to the USA reached 220 tonnes (in 2008 no shipments were registered), but the average import price amounted to only 2.40 USD per kilo, while the average import price of pollock surimi to Japan levelled at 450 Yen per kilo. The import volume to Japan decreased by 57% to only 140 tonnes. Shipments of the Russian products to the South Korea were not registered last year.

Bottomfish

The Japanese import of frozen halibut of the Russian origin (less arrowtooth flounder) in 2009 sank by 40% to only 3510 tonnes with the result for December 2009 amounting to only ca.260 tonnes, 43% down on December 2008. The average import price through the year amounted to ca.560 Yen per kilo, 14% down on 2008, while in December 2009 it declined by 17% to below 545 Yen per kilo. Import of frozen flounder in 2009 fell by 59% to only 1100 tonnes, and in December 2009 the import shipments totaled only 80 tonnes. The average import price through the year dropped by 21% to less than 230 Yen per kilo, and in December 2009 it was below 215 Yen per kilo, 24% down on 2008.

In the closing month of 2009 China imported 300 tonnes of frozen Russian halibut, 58% up on December 2008. The total result for the year 2009 was still 13% down on 2008 and amounted to ca.2530 tonnes. The average import price decreased by 37% to below 1.80 USD per kilo.

The Chinese import of frozen flounder was progressing in December 2009 much more actively than in 2008 rising nearly by 120% on December 2008. However, the result for the whole year was 32% down on 2008 and amounted to only ca.12,000 tonnes. The average import price however levelled at 1.25 USD per kilo approximately on a par with 2008, but in December 2009 it was much higher at ca.1.45 USD per kilo.

The Japanese import of frozen ocean perch of the Russian origin in December 2009 amounted to 440 tonnes, 72% up on December 2008. However the total import of the species through the year declined by 14% to 4360 tonnes. The average import price through the year declined by 13% to 340 Yen per kilo (just like in December 2009). Import of Russian Atka mackerel to Japan increased by 8% to 21,540 tonnes, however in December 2009 it was limited to less than 950 tonnes, more than 60% down on the corresponding result of 2008. The average import price in 2009 rose by 12% to 220 Yen per kilo, but in December 2009 it was somewhat smaller.

Roe

The Japanese import of frozen pollock roe of the Russian origin in 2009 amounted to only 16,080 tonnes, 19% down on 2008, though the result for the closing month of the year exceeded that of December 2008 practically two times and amounted to 380 tonnes. The average import price for the year 2009 amounted to 860 Yen per kilo, 31.5% down on 2008, and in December 2009 it was limited to only 820 Yen per kilo, 26% down on the result of December 2008.

On the contrary, import of frozen pollock roe of the Russian origin to South Korea jumped by 85% to 5870 tonnes, including 270 tonnes imported in December 2009, 23% up on December 2008. The average CIF import price declined by 19% to less than 7.15 USD per kilo, though in December 2009 it amounted to ca.7.95 USD per kilo, 26% down on December 2008.

Import of frozen Russian roe to China (practically 100% contributed by pollock roe) in 2009 decreased by 20.5% to 3370 tonnes, while the average import price declined by 26% to 8.25 USD per kilo, in December 2009 it was exclusively low and amounted to 3.15 USD per kilo only.

The total import volume of Russian products to three main destinations in 2009 amounted to 25,320 tonnes, 7% down on 2008.

At the same time, the Japanese import of frozen Russian salmon roe jumped by 213% in keeping with record strong catches on the Russian grounds and reached 3630 tonnes (though in December 2009 import already declined on 2008 to less than 200 tonnes). The average import price in the year 2009 amounted to ca.1200 Yen per kilo, 40% down on 2008, while in December 2009 (just like in November 2009) it amounted to only 1155 Yen per kilo, 57% down on the result of December 2008. Import of Russian salmon roe sacks to Japan through the year 2009 amounted to only 8 tonnes, still twice up on 2008. The average import price was limited to 1670 Yen per kilo, 14% down on 2008. Import of sieved Russian salmon roe to Japan was not registered again.

The Japanese import of frozen herring roe from Russia in January-December 2009 was limited to only 2 tonnes, while the average import price amounted to only 550 Yen per kilo. Import of salted roe dropped by 21% to 460 tonnes, of which only 20 tonnes were imported in December 2009. The average import price in 2009 rose by 10% to 1065 Yen per kilo, while in December 2009 it reached 1325 Yen per kilo, 40% up on December 2008.

Crabs

In December 2009 the US import of frozen king crab of the Russian origin grew even more brisker with the prices rising even higher thus creating the grounds for the market specialists to presume that apart from Pacific products (red king crab, blue king crab and golden king crab) the US market also imported products (red kings) from the Barents Sea. The volume of the December import amounted to 1730 tonnes, for the first time after July 09 reaching the level of 1700 tonnes and growing by 89% on November 2009. Despite a 22% decrease on December 2008 the total result for January-December 2009 grew by 2.3% to 14,560 tonnes, which could not but point out to insufficient efficiency of measures against illegal fishing against the background of dramatically decreased capture quotas.

The average import price (FAS or ex-transport) in December 2009 nearly reached 17.00 USD per kilo, which was the highest result since May 2009. In general through the year 2009 the average indications amounted to 15.65 USD per kilo, a little more than 1.00 USD per kilo down on 2008. However, the price appeared to be much higher than the results from 2004 to 2007.

The US import of frozen snow crab of the Russian origin grew even stronger. Only through December 2009 the import volume amounted to 580 tonnes, 420% up on December 2008, while the total import from Russia through the year increased by 19.5% to 5230 tonnes. The average import price in December 2009 was 15% up on 2008 and amounted to ca.5.40 USD per kilo. However, the average indications for January-December 2009 declined by 11.5% to 5.55 USD per kilo.

The Chinese import of frozen Russian crab (also dominated by snow crab) in December 2009 grew by 13% on December 2008 and amounted to 600 tonnes. However, the import volume through the year decreased by 19% to 5680 tonnes. The average import price CIF in December 2009 appeared to be 11.5% down on 2008 and amounted to 2.90 USD per kilo, but in the course of the year 2009 it rose by 12% to 3.12 USD per kilo.

The Japanese import of frozen snow crab (mostly opilio and partly bairdi) in December 2009 went down by 47% to 670 tonnes. The total import through the year declined by 13% to 11,560 tonnes. The average import price in December 2009 was limited to only 840 Yen per kilo, 22% down on 2008, while the average indications through the year rose by 12% to 3.12 USD per kilo.

The Japanese import of frozen red king crab in December 2009 also amounted to ca.670 tonnes, 41% down on December 2008. The total import volume for all the twelve months of the year 2009 decreased by 37% to ca.5920 tonnes. The average CIF import price in December 2009 fell below 1200 Yen per kilo and amounted to only ca.1185 Yen per kilo versus more than 1620 Yen per kilo in December 2008. The average indications through the period of January-December 2009 declined by 24% to less than 1365 Yen per kilo.

At the same time, the Japanese import of live red king crab in 2009 rose by 9.5% to ca.6250 tonnes, including ca.580 tonnes imported in December (+38% on December 2008). The average import price through the year amounted to ca.635 Yen per kilo, 14.5% down on 2008, however in December 2009 it rose to ca.1120 Yen per kilo, 28% up on December 2008.

The Japanese import of live snow crab was limited to 1400 tonnes in December 2009, 33% down on December 2008, and the total import through the year 2009 declined by 4% to 23,400 tonnes. The average import price decreased by 23% to less than 300 Yen per kilo, though in December it reached 320 Yen per kilo, 32% up on December 2008.

Import of live hairy crab of the Russian origin to Japan in January-December 2009 declined by 29% to only 1750 tonnes, though in December 2009 it was approximately the same as in December 2008 and amounted to ca.170 tonnes namely. The average import price rose to 14% to 735 Yen per kilo. In December 2009 it leveled at 1150 Yen per kilo, 7% up on December 2008.

Shrimp

Shipments of frozen Russian shrimp to Japan in December 2009 grew dramatically brisker and amounted to ca.820 tonnes, at least 30% up on November 2009 and even slightly up on December 2008. However, the total import volume decreased by 8% to 7140 tonnes. The average import price in December 2009 amounted to ca.1165 Yen per kilo, 20% down on December 2008. The average indications for the whole year declined by less than 6% to 1190 Yen per kilo.

Sea urchins

Last year the officially registered import of live sea urchin (including black and grey) harvested in Russia and imported to Japan failed to reach the level of 10,000 tonnes, 17% down on 2008. (Some market participants claim the official figures to be substantially understated.) The import volume in December 2009 amounted to only 1100 tonnes, 36% down on December 2008. The average import price remained actually at the level of 2008 and amounted to a little more than 565 Yen per kilo, while in December 2009 it was slightly above 675 Yen per kilo, 22% up on December 2008 (despite a very strong exchange rate of Yen to USD).