Pandemic accelerates major shifts in China seafood markplace

Source:  Seafood Source, 27th April 2021

Long a proponent of sourcing more seafood from overseas, China’s central government has shifted its strategy in response to increasing pressures related to COVID-19.

China continues to encourage seafood imports, which have long been seen as a means of dampening consumer price inflation. 
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China ready-to-eat meals a niche for big-name restaurants

Source: China Daily, 21 April 2021 

Frozen semi-cooked foods from well-known restaurant brands have become increasingly popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

A number of restaurant chains have launched ready-to-eat meals such as meats, seafood, vegetables and hot pots online and at supermarkets to expand sales channels and increase business revenue. More than half of catering brands are developing standardised cooked and semi-cooked meals, according to the China Chain Store and Franchise Association. Read more here 

Image: China Daily 

China's dietary advisors call for greater seafood consumption

Source:  Seafood Source, 14th April 2021

China’s national dietary advisory body has suggested the country needs to eat more seafood in order to reduce rising chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

Media coverage of the now-annual report is often cited in marketing by seafood distributors regarding the health benefits of salmon and other species. Securing a cheap and abundant seafood supply has become a top priority for China, especially in its approach to trade and subsidisation of its distant-water fleet. See article 

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OECD/FAO seafood outlook released for 2020 - 2029

Source:  OECD, Undated

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and Food and Agriculture organisation of the united nation have released their seafood outlook for 2020-2029. Seafood is covered in chapter eight of the outlook and covers the market situation and highlights the medium-term projections for world fish markets for the period 2020-29 and concludes with a discussion of important risks and uncertainties affecting world fish markets during the coming ten years.
See Chapter 8 of the outlook >

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Food waste may incur a cost under China's draft food waste laws 

Source: Global Times, 26 April 2021

China's draft law on food waste has specified that wasting food from excessive ordering may be fined according to certain charging standards. This also strengthens management over buffet services, online food delivery platforms, and banquets using public funds. 

The draft law has put forward requirements for online food delivery platforms, which have become a major meal option for many in China, especially amongst young people. Read more here

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Covid-19 emergency set to hit Japan's holiday crowds

Source: The Japan Times 24th April 2021

For the second year in a row, parts of Japan are heading into the Golden Week holiday season under the cloud of a coronavirus state of emergency, with shoppers and travellers again facing tough quasi-restrictions on their movements.

The country’s third state of emergency, scheduled to last at least 17 days from Sunday to May 11, is expected to dramatically impact industries that were hopeful ahead of the usually bountiful Golden Week holidays. See article > 

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Japan's supermarkets need to offer fresh food to stay afloat

Source:  Food Navigator Asia  15th April 2021

Experts at the National Supermarket Association of Japan (NSAJ) say Japan’s supermarkets need to offer a better range of fresh foods and embrace business sustainability in their operations in order to avoid becoming obsolete in the face of challenges posed by COVID-19 and e-commerce. 

Covid has seen the business environments for supermarkets harshen, however in order to stay afloat, supermarkets must capitalise on their ability to present fresh food to the consumer. See full article about the report  

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Japanese seafood industry reaching limits of wild-catch fisheries 

Source: Seafood Source, 14 April 2021

Non-profit think tank, Planet Tracker has released a study asserting that Japanese companies highly exposed to seafood are beginning to suffer constraints from the country’s overfished resources.

Titled “Against the Tide – The Japanese Seafood Industry Confronts Nature’s Limits,” the report is mainly aimed at institutional investors. The report has urged banks and investors to take account of the hidden risk of unsustainable operations by Japanese seafood companies in their lending and investing decisions. See article here

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WTO aims for July deadline for fishing subsidy talks 

Source: Seafood Source, 19th April 2021

The head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has suggested difficult talks on ending harmful fishery subsidies should be concluded by July. The delegation heads recently met for 27 hours of face-to-face talks to attempt to overcome a log-jam on several contentious issues, including how to designate opt-outs for artisanal and developing country fisheries and deciding which authority will determine which stocks are overfished. Read more about subsidy talks 

Image:  WTO