New Zealand Albacore Less Wanted In Spain ff

During the past three years, New Zealand’s exports of frozen Albacore tuna to the European Union (EU) have been falling gradually.

Until the year 2005, New Zealand had consistently been exporting approximately 3,000 tons of Frozen Albacore Tuna to the EU on an annual basis. However, this country then experienced a radical drop of almost 40% by supplying only 1.889 tons in 2006.

This is quite a different picture when bearing in mind New Zealand’s market share back then. While the total exports of this species to the EU market was on a declining trend, New Zealand managed to stabilize its share at around 3000 tons per year during 2004, 2005 and 2006. (21,54% - 21,39% and 21,60% share of the EU market respectively).



However, the latest data available on 2006 and 2007 show that while the export market share from other countries is experiencing a suprising boost from 3.146 tons during the first half of 2006 to 10.481 tons in the same period of 2007, both the supply as well as the market share from New Zealand continue to decline.

There are several reasons for New Zealand’s drop in supplies to the EU. First of all, this country’s frozen Albacore tuna are all destined to Spain. However, Spain’s own catch of Albacore tuna increased by a staggering 50% during 2006. Furthermore, imports by Spain of frozen Albacore tuna from other EU members increased also in 2006, especially from France. Therefore, Spain did not require to import larger quantities of this species from outside the EU. There generally has been a good supply and a good Albacore catch all over the world – which has increased competition for New Zealand in the EU market. The higher logistic costs from New Zealand to Spain also have played a significant role.

During 2007, New Zealand came in second place as main supplier of this product to the EU, after Singapore.