Potential delays in shipment clearances in China

There has been some evidence of at least one shipment being held by China Customs (Beijing) over the weekend. However, the shipment was released after five hours, after labels, weights, and other details were checked.

Whilst our intel may indicate this delay may be a once-off event, given current geopolitics, the STAG would like to hear of any similar circumstances. Please download the short reporting form here and tell us about your experiences and then send the completed form to admin@seafoodtradeadvisory.com. This will enable the STAG to monitor and track issues and then report them to Government.

As the STAG understands it, China’s internal policy regarding import is varied and will depend on the importing port office. This means the regional officer has the ‘power ’ to make decisions on the ‘speed’ of releasing cargo. Therefore we are encouraging all seafood exporters to contact their importer and discuss any potential delays, and any concerns that you have – that is either happening now or that you think may happen. Your China local importer has more power to resolve any potential or existing delays than those concerns coming from exporter countries.

Latest news on the IFAM

Source: Austrade, 7th May 2020

The International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) is up and away, with several IFAM-supported flights now operational. More than 560 Australian businesses have registered their interest in using the IFAM and agreements for 300 freight flights have been secured to date.

Current scheduled IFAM flights

The IFAM is currently supporting the following flights to help get Australian produce to international customers quickly:

Sydney to Tokyo (Narita)
Brisbane to Singapore, Hong Kong and Auckland
Melbourne to Singapore, Hong Kong and Auckland
Brisbane to Cairns to Hong Kong
Adelaide to Singapore

Important: Include export documents with consignments

When preparing your consignment, please include all physical export documents, including government-issued phytosanitary and health certificates, with consignments.

Disruptions to air and courier services due to the COVID-19 crisis are delaying the delivery of airmail. Including export documents with consignments will avoid delays between the arrival of goods in export markets and the arrival of documents sent via airmail.

This will help ensure goods are processed and unloaded in a timely manner.

Please visit the IFAM webpage for information on how the IFAM works and for the latest flight information and schedules. Exporters must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to access IFAM flights.

Market news

Content below contains informal translation of foreign and Asian media. Any information provided as part of this trade news service is general in nature. Before acting on any information provided, you should consider its appropriateness to your circumstances and business objectives.

How is COVID-19 affecting fisheries and aquaculture?

Source: FAO, 10th April 2020

The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has released a short report on how COVID-19 is affecting the fisheries and aquaculture food systems.

To download a copy of this report, click here

Japan's Toyosu Market - 50% decrease in sales

Source: Seafood Guide, 22nd April 2020

With COVID-19 in Japan spreading, Toyosu Market one of the world's largest seafood markets, which has moved from the original Tsukiji market, has seen sales decrease by 50%.

This has been caused by:

A sharp decrease in foreign tourists to Japan
A decrease in prices of high-end seafood such as bluefin tuna (trading amount decreased by 50% and the price decreased by 70%)
Some famous Japanese restaurants are now selling their seafood stock at very low prices
Cancellations of local and overseas orders

According to market data, the average seafood trading amount from 6 - 10 April 2020 was on 70% comparing to last year.

To read the full translated article, click here

Wild abalone is endangered!

Source: WeChat Public Account (blog) written by a member of the public, 17th April 2020

An interesting article published by a Chinese citizen on a WeChat public account (blog) on the reasons why they believe a number of wild abalone species are endangered and are facing the risk of extinction. The article also discusses that citizens do not need to worry as the abalone most commonly eaten in China is cultured by the Chinese.

To read the full translated article, click here

Changes to fish exports to Sri Lanka

A new Market Access Advice (MAA) has been published to advise of temporary measures on fish exports to Sri Lanka.

Click here for further information: Fish exports

Contact Exportstandards@awe.gov.au if you have any queries.

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

SUBSCRIBE TO STAG UPDATES

STAG COVID-19 UPDATES are 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.