STAG NEWS BITES is produced for Australian Seafood Exporters, containing important updates and informal translations of news from Asian media sources. 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.
Note: If foreign articles are opened in Chrome, they can be automatically translated
Traceability systems chooser
There are many traceability technology options currently available on the market, knowing which one is right for your business needs and goals is the challenge.
In a bid to stream-line this important decision-making process, a project is currently underway to deliver an online traceability systems chooser for fishing and aquaculture producers.
The Traceability Systems Chooser will be an online, practical resource based on a self-diagnostic tool to help narrow down technology options. It will be designed to be easy to use and intuitive.
A Seafood Industry Reference Group is currently being established to provide input to the development of the Chooser as it progresses through the proto-type stage. The project is looking for people to provide input from an exporting perspective. Please click here if you would like to take part in this group.
This project has been funded by the 'Modernising Agricultural Trade – Protecting Australia’s Clean Green Brand’, Department of Agriculture, Water & Environment.
MAA: NZ -Implementation of electronic certification
Manufacturers and exporters please be aware that for exports of fish products to New Zealand that require certification, certificates will now be issued through a paperless electronic certification (eCert) exchange. From 22 September 2020, certification must be issued through eCert. There will be a change in the Certificate template which must be entered into EXDOC when raising a Request for Permit. Exporters are encouraged to complete all pending requests for permits prior to the change-over date.
To view the MAA click here
Joint stakeholder briefing - EU Free Trade Agreement
Chief Negotiators for the Australia – European Union Free Trade Agreement, Alison Burrows (Australia) and Helena König (EU) invite you to attend a stakeholder briefing to be held at the conclusion of Round 8 of negotiations.
The briefing will begin with an update from the Chief Negotiators followed by a Q&A session.
- Date: Wednesday 30 September 2020
- Time: 4-5pm
- Held virtually: Webex details to follow registration
- Register: With the name of and email your nominated representative to a-eufta@dfat.gov.au by close of business Friday, 25 September 2020. Please submit questions ahead of the briefing to a-eufta@dfat.gov.au also by 5pm 25 September .
Exposure draft for the new export control rules
The Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment has issued an exposure draft of the new export control rules as they apply to fish and fish products.
The consultation period closes on the 5th November 2020. The STAG will coordinate a response with Seafood Industry Australia.
If you have some input to make, please send your comment to admin@seafoodtradeadvisory.com by cob the 19th October.
To download a copy of the exposure draft click here
Market news
COVID found on squid packaging imported from Russia
Source: News.com.au, 21st September 2020
Authorities in China have reportedly detected coronavirus on the packaging of squid imported from Russia.
Health authorities in Fuyu, in the northeastern Jilin province, made the announcement on the city’s official WeChat account Reuters reports.
To read more click here
Hong Kong lifts some COVID restrictions
Source: Global Times, 15th September 2020
Hong Kong's health authority has announced numerous restrictions will end.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced it will allow bars, karaoke bars, night clubs, theme parks and swimming pools to reopen. Restaurants will be allowed to remain open until midnight but public gatherings of more than four people remain restricted.
To read more, click here
Hong Kong's battered tourism sector
Source: South China Morning Post, 15th September 2020
Hong Kong tourism declined further in August, with some 78% fewer visitors than the previous month, even as the city’s officials discussed forming travel bubbles with 11 destinations and local coronavirus infections falling.
Provisional figures from the city’s tourism board, showed that fewer than 4,500 people visited last month, a 99.9% year-on-year slump, and a 78% drop from the nearly 20,600 people who visited in July.
To read more click here
Japan and UK - Major post Brexit trade deal
Source: Japan Times, 11th September 2020
Japan and the UK have agreed in principle on a post-Brexit free trade deal, paving the way for business relationships to continue smoothly even after the end of London’s transition period out of the European Union in December.
To read more click here
Image: AFP-JIJI
US food service on track to take $240B sales hit
Source: IntraFish, 18th September 2020
While some restaurants struggle to adjust to the new coronavirus world, others have simply given up. Nearly one in six US restaurants are expected to close long-term or close for good in 2020, according to a National Restaurant Association survey.
This represents about 100,000 restaurants, and survey results revealed 40% of restaurant operators don't think they'll be in business in six months.
The association estimates the industry will lose $240 billion (€202.6 billion) in sales by the end of 2020.
To read more click here
Warren Buffett is one of the world's biggest seafood investors
Source: Seafood Source, 18th September 2020
Berkshire Hathaway has announced it had acquired slightly more than a 5% stake in each of the five major Japanese general trading companies: Itochu, Marubeni, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, and Sumitomo through regular purchases on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO, Warren Buffett, considered one of the most successful investors in the world, further announced that he was open to accumulating a larger share, up to 9.9% of each company, all of which have been moving deeper into the seafood business.
To read the full article, click here
Image: Kent Sievers/Shutterstock
STAG News Bites is a resource for Australian seafood exporters, currently funded by the Abalone Council Australia Ltd, Southern Rocklobster Ltd, Australian Abalone Growers Association, Western Rocklobster Council and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. We acknowledge past funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, through the Package Assisting Small Exporters.
This STAG publication 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.
Copyright © 2020, Seafood Trade Advisory Group. All rights reserved.
