This report focuses on catch volumes of tuna and swordfish in Japanese waters. It also highlights prices, inventories, markets, imports and exports of species detailed below.

1. ASIA

1.1 Japan

Northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus y Thunnus orientalis)
Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)

Frozen

The average price of frozen bluefin (HS 030345010, HS 030345020 and 030346000) imported by Japan in April was JPY 2,000/kg, up 89% on that of March and down 3% on that of the April 2018. During the first four months, the average was JPY 1,561/kg, down 5% on that of the same period last year.

The origin of imports for the month was mainly Croatia (192 t), at an average price of JPY 2,164/kg.

Graph 1: Average price at Customs of frozen bluefin Japanese imports (HS 030345000 and 030346000), 2015–2019, in JPY/kg

Source: Customs

Table 1: Income of frozen bluefin in Tokyo Central Fish Market, January-April 2019-2018, tonnes and average price JPY/kg

Source: Customs

Markets

In the reported month, 227 tonnes of frozen bluefin were imported for a value in Japanese customs of JPY 454 million, 7% lower volume and 75% higher value than in the previous month and 14% more in volume and 10% in value than in April 2018.

Graph 2: Japanese imports of forzen bluefin (HS 030345000 y 030346000), 2015–2019

Source: Customs

In the first four months of the year imports reach 1,004 tonnes and JPY 1,567 million.

Graph 3: Cumulative monthly Japanese imports of frozen bluefin (HS 030345000 y 030346000), in tonnes, 2015-2019

Source: Japanese Customs

In the fourth month Korea sent 386 tonnes of frozen bluefin to Japan, worth JPY 660 million, followed by Taiwan (282 tonnes) and Croatia (192 tonnes).

Graph 4: Main exporters of frozen bluefin to Japan, January-April 2019, in tonnes

Source: based on information provided by the Customs

By DGA

www.fis.com