SEAFOOD TRADE MATTERS

15 July 2021

This Bulletin contains information general in nature. Before taking any action based on the information provided, you should consider its appropriateness to your individual circumstances and business objectives. Exporters should verify any details with their importers prior to undertaking any action.

Lobster webinars

Austrade, in collaboration with STAG, held a series of rock lobster-focused export market webinars in the first two weeks of July. 

A recording of the Rock Lobsters to Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan Sector Update is now available. We will distribute a link to the Japan and Hong Kong session as soon as it is ready. 

Presentations from each webinar can be viewed here for Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan,  and here for Japan and Hong Kong.
 

New China registration requirements

Exporters and processing establishments have been advised of new Chinese requirements for imported food and overseas food establishments that will take effect from 1 January 2022. 

Depending on the product category, food producers must register with the General Administration of Customs of China either:

a) through the competent authority of the exporting country; or 

b) directly and/or through a private agent. 

The new measures also include changes to labelling requirements. 

More detail, including translated versions of the relevant Chinese regulations, can be found here.
 

China COVID-19 suspensions

In the last weeks, China Customs has suspended more seafood export establishments due to COVID-19 detections. The suspensions relate to companies in Ecuador (frozen vannamei shrimp), Indonesia (frozen hairtail), and India (frozen vannamei shrimp, frozen squid). 
 

Reforms to Export Finance Australia

Export Finance Australia (EFA), the government's export credit agency, will be given broader powers to finance transactions under new legislation which will enable it to provide equity finance in certain circumstances. 

Read the government press release here.
 

WTO fisheries subsidies agreement delayed again

The WTO has missed a self-imposed deadline of 15 July to conclude talks on a global agreement to limit fisheries subsidies. A new goal of September 2021 has been set to reach a consensus on the outstanding issues: 

‘The talks have been held up by several disagreements, with the structuring of exemptions for developing nations and the parameters of a definition for harmful fuel subsidies among the thorniest.’ 

Read more via Seafoodsource.com here. 
 

IFAM updates

The IFAM flight schedules have been updated with the latest details on IFAM-supported flights.

Recent changes to outbound flights include: 

- An extension of Cathay Pacific's Adelaide to Hong Kong service
- An extension of Singapore Airline's Adelaide to Singapore service
- The addition of a new Air New Zealand service from Melbourne to Los Angeles
- An additional flight for the existing Qantas service from Melbourne to Los Angeles
- An additional flight for the existing Japanese Airlines service from Melbourne to Narita
- An additional flight for the existing Japanese Airlines service from Melbourne to Seoul Service (Via Narita)
- A day change for the existing Emirates service from Perth to Singapore.
- A additional flight for the existing Qantas service from Sydney to Narita on Saturdays. 
- An extension of the Cathay Pacific Service from Toowoomba to Hong Kong
 

Full details can be found in the IFAM Flight Schedule Outbound and IFAM Flight Schedule Inbound.
 

STAG Notices are available at http://www.seafoodtradeadvisory.com

This Bulletin is a resource for Australian seafood exporters.The Seafood Trade Advisory Group receives funds from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.  The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation plans, invests in and manages fisheries research and development throughout Australia. It is a statutory authority within the portfolio of the federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, jointly funded by the Australian Government and the fishing industry.