September 30, 2005

USDA: Japan fishery products annual report 2005

As Japan's own domestic fishery production shows signs of consistent weakness, the share of imports in the country's total distribution continues to increase. 
 
In 2004, Japan's domestic fishery production totaled 5.73 million metric tons, down 5.8% from the previous year.
 
Imports of six key product lines (i.e. Salmon and Trout, Sockeye Salmon, Surimi (fish paste), Cod & Pollock Roes, Ikura (Prepared Salmon Eggs) and Sujiko (Hard Salmon Roes)) totaled $2.6 billion, up 13.5% from the previous year, indicating continuing stability and strength of the ever-lively Japanese seafood import market.
 
As Japan's dominant supplier, the U.S. enjoyed a 35% slice of the import market for these six products.
 
During the first half of 2005 (January-June), Japanese imports grew 10.3% from the same term last year to total $1.4 billion, with the U.S. share growing 17.4%. Other leading seafood exporters to Japan during the same period were Chile (20% share), Russia (14% share), China (8% share), Norway (7% share) and Thailand (6% share).
 
All indications are that as China's industrial infrastructure improves her share of Japanese fishery product imports, notably in the area of processed and remanufactured seafood products, will also improve in the years to come. 
 
For the full USDA report, click here.