Japanese Frozen Tuna Imports Continue Sharp Dropff

Since 2004 the total Japanese imports of frozen tuna over the first six months of the year almost halved. This dramatic drop continued during the first half of 2007 when imports dropped again by 29% from 126813 M/T to 90346 M/T.  This fall can be contributed largely to falling catches worldwide and catch restrictions which are imposed on fleets, but also falling demand by supermarkets for sashimi from frozen tuna. Consumers are more after locally caught fresh skipjack, which is gaining popularity.  

Frozen bigeye took again the leading position as most imported species with a quantity of 41697 M/T imported over the period. Bigeye now has a 46% share of the total Japanese imports of frozen tuna. Over the last 2 years yellowfin was the most imported species, but in 2007 the volume fell by 36% and reached the level of 31448 M/T, taking second place.



Skipjack supplies went down even more severely. Due to increased competition by canneries in Thailand and the Pacific region, and the very low catches in the Pacific, imports of this species fell 55% from 24776 M/T to 11173 M/T. This species is very important on the Japanese market in terms of Katsuobushi (dried and smocked tuna). Consequently the local production of Katsuobushi showed a firm decrease.

The majority of the supply of frozen tuna to the Japanese market is for sashimi (bluefin, bigeye and yellowfin), while the imported skipjack is mostly utilized for Katsuobushi.  A minor part of the frozen tuna is used for canning, mostly skipjack or yellowfin.

Generally the second quarter of 2007 was even slightly worse than the first three months. From January to March Japan imported 45822 M/T of frozen tuna and in the second quarter 3% less with quantity of 44524 M/T of frozen products.

 

There are currently no immediate signs that we will see much recovery in the Japanese frozen tuna imports in the remainder of the year. Catches -in all oceans and for almost all species- remain problematic, with fierce competition by many parties to obtain the raw material. Also the higher prices might lead to continued consumer price resistance.