March 8, 2011
Japan's shrimp imports show increase
Japan imported 16,428 tonnes of prawns and shrimp in January, an increase of 8% over the same month of 2010.
The value of these imports increased by 12.9% to US$162.9 million, in part due to the 4.5% increase in the average price of these shellfish, which hit US$9.90/kilogramme.
Imports from Thailand totaled 3,211 tonnes, 11.9% more than in January last year. Imports from Indonesia increased by 14.4% to 2,832 tonnes, while imports from Vietnam fell by 5.3% to 2,796 tonnes.
Overall, imports of prawns and shrimps from Russia, Greenland, Canada and Argentina increased by 5.6% to 1,851 tonnes.
Imports from Canada showed the largest growth of 51% to 656 tonnes, while shrimp imports from Argentina rose by 13.8% to 569 tonnes.
In contrast, the volume of imports from Russia and Greenland decreased as compared to January last year.