Overview of seafood exports from the Russian Far East in January-September 2009
In September 2009 shipments of main seafood commodities from the Russian Far East to neighboring foreign markets have shown no changes for the better, though a considerable rise has been observed in shipments of particular fish products and to particular directions, according to the overview prepared by analysts of http://www.fishnet-russia.com/ (https://www.fishnet.ru/) based on Japanese and Russian sources.
The situation with shipments of frozen pink salmon to China and sockeye and Atka mackerel to Japan has been especially favourable.
Salmon
In September 2009 China imported ca.34,500 tonnes of Russian salmon products (less sockeye), 260% up on last year. The total shipments from January 2009 to September 2009 amounted to nearly 46,000 tonnes, 93% up on the same period last year, thus making it possible to bring the result of twelve months of 2009 at least equal to the high result of 2006 which was very close to 49,000 tonnes. In this connection, development of the Chinese import in August and September 2009 practically disproved pessimistic reports that the quality of frozen pink salmon harvested in Russia in 2009 much suffered from extremely rich landings which had allegedly disabled successful exports even to China. The thing is that in the recent years the Chinese processors have been giving strict requirements as to Russian producers' compliance with the basic parameters to frozen salmon quality.
The average CIF price of the Russian products in September 2009 was limited to less than 1.75 USD per kilo, only 0.10 USD per kilo down on August 2009 and 0.25 USD per kilo or 13% on last year.
The Japanese import of Russian products which, unlike the Chinese import, was represented mostly by frozen sockeye mainly harvested in Kamchatka, also developed very actively in September 2009. Though the month the Japanese traders imported 6300 tonnes, 80% up on August 2009 and 40% up on September 2008. However, through August-September 2009 the traders imported ca.9850 tonnes of Russian salmon, 3% down on the corresponding result of last year, and the total import volume from the beginning of the year amounted to only 13,700 tonnes, 21% down on last year. Such a considerable decrease of import was attributed by the Japanese specialists first of all to practically complete suspension of shipments of marine driftnet seafood, the market demand for which remained comparably strong even in the recent years.
The average CIF price of Russian sockeye imported to Japan in September 2009 increased by less than 3% on August 2009 and reached 540 Yen per kilo, but as compared to last year it increased much more noticeably nearly by 8.5%. Taking into account much stronger exchange rate of Yen to USD the growth of import prices for Russian products was even larger with the average import price in September 2009 levelling at 5.90 USD per kilo versus less than 4.70 USD last year (+25%).
Import of frozen Russian coho salmon to Japan in September 2009 was not registered again, while the import volume of two Pacific salmon species from Russia (mostly chum salmon) amounted to ca.460 tonnes, 16% down on August 2009. As compared to last year it decreased by 33%, while the total import volume through the first nine months of the year 2009 decreased even more seriously, namely by more than 1500 tonnes or 60%, to only 1000 tonnes. The average import price in September 2009 increased by 45% on August 2009 and reached the level of 300 Yen per kilo, still only 3% up on the last year result, though with regard to the difference in the exchange rates the growth was even larger with the average import price in September 2009 approximating 3.35 USD per kilo versus less than 2.80 USD per kilo last year (growth of nearly 20%).
Salmon roe
In September 2009 after a break of less than two months traders resumed shipments of frozen salmon roe of the Russian origin. Through the month they imported ca.250 tonnes, nearly ten times up on the last year result, and the total import volume since January 2009 practically reached 1000 tonnes, more than 180% up on last year. The average import price in September 2009 amounted to ca.1000 Yen per kilo or close to 11.00 USD per kilo.
Pollock roe
Clearance of Russian raw pollock roe in September 2009 was already very weak and the total import to Japan, China and South Korea amounted to only 550 tonnes, 71% down on August 2009 and 70% down on September 2008. The total volume of import to these three countries from January to September 2009 was limited to less than 23,650 tonnes, nearly 5% down on the last year result. The market specialists however think that no seasonal decrease of shipments actually happened and the decrease as per the end of September 2009 was caused by somewhat slower customs clearance of roe material.
Import of Russian products to Japan in September 2009 was limited to less than 140 tonnes, 75% down on August 2009. In general since the beginning of the year the traders imported ca.15,400 tonnes of Russian pollock roe, nearly 20% down on the respective result of last year. The average import price in September 2009 somewhat increased on August 2009, but still failed to recover to the level of 700 Yen per kilo. The average price through the period amounted to only 865 Yen per kilo (approximately equal to 9.10 USD), 31% or nearly 400 Yen (more than 4.00 USD) per kilo down on last year.
The Chinese import went down by 80% on August 2009 to less than 160 tonnes. In January-September 2009 the import volume amounted to only 3200 tonnes, 5% up on the result of January-September 2008. Therefore the market specialists think that the demand for the Chinese final products (pollock roe salted and with spices) from Japan has started to recover. The average import price in September 2009 was below the last year figure nearly two times and amounted to only ca.6.20 USD per kilo. The average indications through the first nine months of the year leveled at 8.40 USD per kilo, 24% or ca.2.65 USD per kilo down on last year.
Import to the South Korea was fairly brisk in September 2009, though its volume decreased by 55% on August 2009 to 250 tonnes. As compared to last year, import in September 2009 grew by 58% and the total import volume since January 2009 already reached 5000 tonnes, 87% up on last year, thus showing good prospects for the total import volume of the Russian pollock roe to reach the level of 2006 (ca.5440 tons) by the end of the current year 2009. The average import price in September 2009 jumped by 20% on August 2009 and amounted to ca.7.60 USD per kilo, but through the period it was limited to the level of 7.00 USD, 17% or only 1.45 USD per kilo down on last year.
For the South Korean importers and users the conditions for purchases of the Russian raw material have been fairly convenient in 2009 thanks to a dramatic decrease of the demand from the Japanese market. The South Korean side has decided to use these opportunities, relying partly on resales to Japan in the low seasons and building up comparably cheap inventories for trade in the coming year, when the supply of the US raw material may turn to be even more limited than in the current year 2009.
Pollock and cod species
The Russian products (again mostly headed and gutted pollock) were dominating in the Chinese import of pollock, cod and their congeners, however the volume of its import was limited to less than 6800 tonnes, more than 6000 tonnes or 47% down on last year. As compared to August 2009, it increased only by 4% which did not encourage the general change of the situation with shipments in the current year 2009 with the total official import volume from January to September 2009 limited at less than 57,200 tonnes, 74% down on last year.
The average import price in September 2009 amounted to ca.2.10 USD per kilo, 15% down on August 2009 and 18% down on September 2008. In general through the period since the beginning of the year the average indications amounted to ca.2.15 USD per kilo, 15% or nearly 0.30 USD per kilo up on last year.
The Japanese import of frozen pollock of the Russian origin resumed from September 2009 after a break in August 2009 with ca.200 tonnes cleared in the ninth month of the year 2009 versus nearly 10 tonnes cleared in September 2008. However, in general from the beginning of the year 2009 the Japanese import was limited to less than 470 tonnes, 28% down on the corresponding result of 2008. The average import price in September 2009 amounted to 170 Yen per kilo (just like the average indications from January 2009) or ca.1.85 USD per kilo, 21% down on last year.
Shipments of frozen Russian cod in September 2009 grew weaker again and the customs cleared only ca.90 tonnes, 21% down on August 2009, but 260% up on September 2008. In general, from January to September 2009 it decreased by 41% or ca.500 tonnes to only 700 tonnes, while the general activity of the demand for frozen cod from the Japanese market in the current year after a large decrease of prices noticeably increased and the total import grew nearly by 35% to ca.7350 tonnes.
The average import price amounted to ca.270 Yen per kilo, 5% up on August 2009 and nearly twice down (44% down on September 2008) on last year. The average indications for frozen Russian cod imported to Japan from January to September 2009 also nearly halved by 49% on the respective result of last year.
Bottomfish
In September 2009 Japan imported ca.470 tonnes of frozen halibut of the Russian origin, nearly 110% up on August 2009, but 15% down on September 2008. Through the period from January 2009 the Japanese import went down by 45% to only 2300 tonnes. The average import price decreased by 5% on August 2009 to less than 550 Yen per kilo and practically by 20% on September 2008. The average indications through the first nine months of the year decreased by 11% on last year to 580 Yen per kilo.
Import of frozen Russian flounder to Japan in September 2009 was again limited to ca.50 tonnes and through the period from January 2009 it failed to reach the level of 1000 tonnes and decreased by 57% on the last year result. The average import price somewhat increased as compared to August 2009, but still remained below 230 Yen per kilo versus nearly 320 Yen per kilo in September 2008. The average indications through the period leveled only at 230 Yen per kilo, 21% down on last year.
Shipments of ocean perch from Russia developed much less actively than last year. Despite the September import exceeded the result of the previous month by 43% (ca.200 tonnes), it nearly halved on the last year result, and through the period from the year start it went down by 30% or more than 1000 tonnes on last year and amounted to 2300 tonnes. The average import price slightly decreased on August 2009 and amounted to ca.345 Yen per kilo, 18% down on September 2008. The average price in January-September 2009 amounted to 350 Yen per kilo, 9% down on last year.
The Japanese import of Atka mackerel in September 2009 grew dramatically brisker and its volume rose practically four times as compared to August 2009 and amounted to ca.2000 tonnes. As compared to last year, in September 2009 the shipments appeared to be nearly nine times larger than last year, but due to comparably small shipments in the first half of the year the total volume of Russian shipments since the beginning of the year was limited to 14,000 tonnes, 11% down on last year. The average import price in September 2009 practically remained at 200 Yen per kilo and the average indications through the period of the first nine months of the year also appeared to be very close to the above level and increased by 16% on last year.
The Chinese import of frozen flounder of the Russian origin in September 2009 amounted to ca.1700 tonnes, only 6% down on last year. However, the total shipments from January 2009 to September 2009 decreased much more considerably by 44% to 7100 tonnes. The average import price in September 2009 amounted to ca.1.25 USD per kilo, and the average indications through the period amounted to 1.30 USD per kilo, approximately on a par with the last year result.
Import of frozen Russian halibut to China in September 2009 did not reach even 130 tonnes, 65% down on last year, but the import volume from January to September 2009 failed to reach 1800 tonnes, only 14% down on the last year result, with the shipments of black halibut growing by 11% to 1550 tonnes. The general decrease of shipments in September 2009 was due to a more than 60% decline of white halibut import to less than 300 tonnes. The average import price in September 2009 amounted to only ca.1.40 USD per kilo versus approximately 2.00 USD per kilo last year, and the average indications through the period from the year start amounted to 1.70 USD per kilo, practically 1.00 USD per kilo down on last year.
Herring
The Japanese import of frozen herring of the Russian origin in September 2009 was limited to only 70 tonnes, more than three times down on August 2009. The total import volume from January to September 2009 amounted to only 4400 tonnes, 41% down on last year. The average import price in September 2009 leveled only at 80 Yen per kilo, but the average indications through the period of nine months of the year amounted to ca.100 Yen per kilo, 25% down on the average import price in January-September 2008.
The volume of the Japanese import of Russian herring fillets (mostly processed in China) from January 2009 by the end of September 2009 did not reach even 4200 tonnes, 25% down on last year. In September 2009 the Japanese traders imported only ca.500 tonnes of Russian herring fillets, 42% down on last year. The average import price jumped as compared to August 2009 nearly by 5%, but it was still limited to 365 Yen per kilo versus nearly 390 Yen per kilo in September 2008. However, the average indications for the first nine months of the year amounted to ca.400 Yen per kilo, 3% up on last year.
Shrimp
The Japanese import of Russian products was represented mostly by pink shrimp Pandalus borealis and partly by shrimp Pandalopsis multidentatus and in September 2009 it amounted to only ca.160 tonnes, practically 10% down on August 2009 and 28% down on September 2008. The total import volume through the period from January 2009 amounted to 5200 tonnes, 13% down on last year. The average import price in September 2009 rose by 13% on August 2009 and reached 1450 Yen per kilo, which was still 26% down on last year. However, the average through the first nine months of 2009 remained practically unchanged at ca.1200 Yen per kilo.
Crabs
Progressing of the Japanese import of live Russian crab in September 2009 was slower than in August 2009 and the import volumes declined for all the crab species. As compared to last year, the shipments went down as well, but in general from the year start to the end of September 2009 no considerable decrease of shipments was observed. In September 2009 the total import volume of all the crab products originating from Russia declined by 11% on last year to 2600 tonnes, but through the first nine months of the year the shipments decreased by less than 1% to 23,700 tonnes.
The import volume of live king crab (both red and blue) amounted to ca.630 tonnes, 18% down on August 2009 and 14% down on September 2008. At the same time, total shipments from the beginning of the year increased by as much as 11% on the corresponding result of last year and amounted to 4500 tonnes. In September 2009 the average import price rose by more than 4% on August 2009 and amounted to ca.615 Yen per kilo, still 17% or ca.125 Yen per kilo down on last year. The average price indications for the period from the year start decreased nearly by 19% to only 545 Yen per kilo.
The September import of live snow crab appeared to be 26% down on August 2009, but as compared to last year it declined by 4%. However, through the period under analysis the import volume remained at ca.18,100 tonnes practically on a par with last year. The average import price in September 2009 decreased to 260 Yen per kilo versus ca.275 Yen per kilo in August 2009 and as compared to last year it went down by more than 105 Yen per kilo or 29%. The average indications for the period from the beginning of the year declined by 23% to 305 Yen per kilo.
Import of live hairy crab in September 2009 went down by 14% on August 2009 to less than 200 tonnes. Through the first nine months of the year 2009 the traders imported ca.1200 tonnes of Russian products, 37% down on last year, with the import decrease in September 2009 reaching 44%. The average import price through the period rose by 12% or nearly by 70 Yen per kilo to ca.645 Yen per kilo, and in September 2009 it was at the level of 650 Yen per kilo rising also by 12% on September 2008 and 13% on August 2009.
The Japanese import of frozen king crab of the Russian origin in September 2009 amounted to ca.230 tonnes, nearly by 60% down on August 2009, and as compared to last year the September import went down by 77%. In January-September 2009 the traders imported only ca. 3700 tonnes of Russian products, 35% down (ca.2000 tonnes) on last year. The average import price for Russian frozen king crab in September 2009 rose nearly by 400 Yen per kilo on August 2009 and reached the level of 1600 Yen per kilo (ca.17.45-17.65 USD per kilo), while for the first nine months of the year the average indications were limited to less than 1400 Yen per kilo, 22% or 400 Yen per kilo down on last year.
The volume of the Japanese import of frozen snow crab of the Russian origin in September 2009 decreased by 25% on August 2009 to 1270 tonnes, which was 55% up on September 2008. Nevertheless, from January 2009 to September 2009 the shipments amounted to ca.9540 tonnes, 9% (ca.1000 tonnes) down on last year. The average import price in September 2009 remained at the August level and amounted to 840 Yen per kilo (approximately 9.15-9.35 USD per kilo), but as compared to last year it went down by 33% or more than by 400 Yen per kilo. The average indications through the first nine months of the year declined by 23% to 870 Yen per kilo.
The Japanese import of frozen hairy crab from Russia in September 2009 was not registered again and the volume of shipments through the first three quarters of the year remained within 20 tonnes, 70% down on January-September 2008. The average import price through the period amounted to ca.815 Yen per kilo, 17% down on last year.
The Chinese import of Russian products in September 2009 started weakening after a noticeable activation of shipments in August 2009 and the import volume decreased by 23% on August 2009 to 460 tonnes. As compared to last year, the September import decreased by 12% and the total import volume through the period decreased even more, by 15% namely, to only ca.4400 tonnes, thus for the second year running shipments of the Russian raw material to China (mostly for meat production for the Japanese market) have remained much smaller than in the previous years (in 2007 as per the end of September 2009 the import shipments amounted to more than 10,000 tonnes).
The average import price in September 2009 amounted to 2.65 USD per kilo, 42% or approximately 0.80 USD per kilo up on August 2009 and 19% up on September 2008. The average indications through the first nine months of the year slightly exceeded 3.15 USD per kilo, rising by 15% on last year.
Sea urchins
The Japanese import of live sea urchin of the Russian origin in September 2009 continued slowing and the customs cleared only ca.240 tonnes, 29% down on August 2009. As compared to last year, the September import also decreased but less than by 10%, and through the period from January 2009 the shipments amounted to 7000 tonnes, 11% down on last year. The average import price in September 2009 went down to only 640 Yen per kilo, 23% down on August 2009 and 11% on September 2008, while the average indications from January to September 2009 amounted to ca.545 Yen per kilo, only 7.5% down on the corresponding result of last year.