January 22, 2007

China's Guangdong cements position as top eel exporter to Japan

While eel exports from production regions such as Fujian, Zhejiang and Shandong to Japan shrank after the country's amended regulatory rules for residual chemical additives came into effect, exports from Guangdong to the same destination actually rose.

Japan is the biggest market for Guangdong's eels, accounting for more than 80 percent of the province's eel exports, according to the Guangdong Inspection and Quentine Bureau. More than half of eels consumed in Japan comes from China.

Last year, while eel demand in Japan was relatively low, demand for Guangdong's baked eels went up. The province exported 3,275 tonnes of baked eels worth a total of US$47.48 million, registering an on-year growth of 90 percent and 84 percent respectively. At the same time, Guangdong's share of China's exports of live eel to Japan climbed from 80 percent to 90 percent, cementing Guangdong's role as the country's top eel exporter to Japan.