Some of these articles are in foreign languages and can be automatically translated on Google Chrome. 

Note: These articles are a round-up of news media in key seafood markets. The information is provided as part of our market intelligence service to Australian seafood exporters. The views expressed in the media articles are not those of the STAG and are in no way endorsed by us. 

Image: Catering 020

🍱 China market focus

Pre-fabricated, or processed, seafoods are China’s fastest growing seafood category and a hot topic at the 2022 China Aquatic Products Conference in Xiamen last week. Convenience, consistency, and safety are key attributes for consumers. Read more here (Chinese).

For more on China’s processed seafood sector, see this article from Catering 020 (Chinese).

Seafoodsource.com reported on the popularity of pre-packaged seafood during this year’s ‘Singles Day’ online shopping festival in China here (subscription may be required).

See also this detailed report (Chinese) on development of the processed food market more generally. (Note that the generic term for processed/pre-prepared food is translated as ‘pre-fabricated vegetables’ by Google).

Asialink Business has recently published a guide for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to access opportunities in the China market. The report can be accessed online for free and contains a special section on the food and beverage market. Visit the Asialink Business website here.

Image: Seafoodsource.com

🦞 USA: Temporary relief for Maine lobster industry

A US judge has granted a two-year reprieve for Maine’s lobster industry, after concerns around North Atlantic right whales threatened to close the fishery down. During this period, the lobster fishermen will be required to come up with a whale protection and preservation plan. Read more from Seafoodsource.com here.

However, some US retailers are taking their own measures, including Whole Foods, which has suspended purchases of Maine lobsters. The move comes after the Marine Stewardship Council and Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program issued sustainability warnings about the fishery last month. Read more from Environment America here.

Image: Fish Farmer Magazine

📉 Global seafood outlook amid economic headwinds  

The Norwegian Seafood council has warned of challenging times ahead for producers and exporters of seafood commodities. Consumers in many major economies are reducing spending at the same time as prices for seafood and other proteins are continuing to rise. Read more on Fish Farmer Magazine here.                                                                                    

Image: Statista

🌐 International fish consumption rankings

Data website Statista has published a chart showing average per capita fish consumption in 2019 for 16 counties based on UN figures. Iceland ranks first, with a huge 96 kilograms per person average. Have a look at the rankings here.

Image: Etoday

🌊 Taiwan: Ultimate surf 'n' turf

Taipei’s newly opened ‘Fishman Teppanyaki’ restaurant is offering a decadent A5 Wagyu and rock lobster pairing. The full 15-dish course also includes live abalone, scallops, and crab. Have a look at this premium surf ‘n’ turf experience on the ETtoday website here (Chinese).

Image: BBC

🦠 China: New Covid-19 surge

BBC reports ‘China has recorded its highest number of daily Covid cases since the pandemic began, despite stringent measures designed to eliminate the virus.’ Read more here.

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The Seafood Trade Advisory Group (STAG) is jointly funded by the Australian government and the fishing industry. We receive funds from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).which is a statutory authority within the portfolio of the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Water and the Environment. 

 Any information provided in this STAG publication is general in nature. Before acting on any information provided, you should consider its appropriateness to your individual circumstances and business objectives.