Queensland Seafood Industry Receives Assistance from Government Due to Impact of Coronavirus

The Queensland Government will be providing financial assistance to members of the seafood industry who have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). A $660,000 relief package was confirmed in a news release announcing a $3.67 million fee relief package for operators at the Cairns Marina, a "vital hub for inbound tourism operators in Far North Queensland."

"The impact of COVID-19 was felt particularly strongly around Chinese New Year, which is normally a huge export opportunity for Queensland seafood," said Deputy Premier and Treasurer...

The Winding Glass: How the Coronavirus Shockwave May Impact the U.S. and Canadian Seafood Industry

A lot of people in the seafood industry are thinking about the coronavirus. The major impact has been on shipping, tourism, and travel, all of which are vital to the North American seafood industry.

The question is whether this is a short-term event like a hurricane or political strike that impacts one area of our supply chain, or if this is a year-long global pandemic, leading to big changes in behavior in our markets.

Clearly we don’t know yet, despite people like...

NZ Rock Lobster Industry Could See Annual Catch Entitlement Carried Over Due to Coronavirus

The New Zealand commercial rock lobster industry could potentially see their uncaught annual catch entitlement (ACE) carried over into the next fishing year.

Fisheries New Zealand is currently seeking feedback on whether to enable uncaught rock lobster commercial ACE to be carried into the next fishing year, which begins on April 1, 2020. The government agency provided commercial fishermen with three options, including retaining the status quo and making no changes; enabling carry forward of up to 10% of the total rock lobster ACE...

China’s Seafood Exports Hit Hard by the Coronavirus

The coronavirus outbreak has exerted destructive influence on China’s seafood industry in both its imports and exports. These previously hustling shopping carnivals have been slow with consumers mostly holed up at home. Meanwhile, seafood processing plants in China are challenged by various problems in both production and export.

Considering the contagious disease, China’s processing plants have to prolong their leave. Those in the Hubei province are required not to restart operation until February 14. But according to some plants, they are not sure if they can reopen as planned...

The Coronavirus has a New Name: COVID-19

The coronavirus now has a name. World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom announced on Tuesday that they've named the coronavirus COVID-19.

According to WHO, coronaviruses are "a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV)." Coronaviruses have crown-like spikes on their surface, and the term "coronavirus" stems from the Latin word "corona," which means crown...

2019 Crab Production and Market Data Released; Live Crab Diverted From China to Other Asia Markets

The coronavirus crisis in China is both a human and business tragedy and the seafood industry is not spared. It has resulted in a major disruption in worldwide live shellfish and premium seafood sales and economic hardship for producers. Russian live crab harvesters are said to suspend or curtail live crab fishing until the crisis is over in China. The statistics have been released for all major King crab and Snow crab production and markets except China for 2019...

VIDEO: China Cuts Tariffs; Coronavirus Impact on Shrimp; Boston Show on Coronavirus; and More

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video co-hosts Lorin Castiglione and Amanda Buckle as they discuss China's announcement regarding tariffs; the impact of the coronavirus on the shrimp market; and the statement from Seafood Expo North America organizers Diversified Communications on the coronavirus. Plus, learn more about FCF buying Bumble Bee Foods.

This episode was brought to you by COMTELL, which will be receiving a complete redesign in 2020. Subscribers who utilize COMTELL to track market quotations, analyze trends and...

ANALYSIS: Shrimp Market Strained Due to Coronavirus

The coronavirus and what impact it may have on the shrimp market has been a common topic in recent days. We’ve written in our daily comments that China is the largest importer of shrimp globally and any disruption in the flow of product into that country will certainly have market implications. We’ve also suggested that the most immediate concern appears to be Ecuador given its proximity to the U.S., its reliance on the Asian market and the anticipation of a larger harvest next week...

Live King Crab Impact From Coronavirus; Prices Down 40% in CNF Korea

Like with most other species and proteins that have anything to do with Asia, king crab is also added to the list of affected species.

Currently there is a little over 450 M/t of live Blue king crab on Russian vessels which was originally scheduled to be delivered to Northern China. However, now that the China -Russia border is completely shut down until at least March, the live crab has been diverted to South Korea. Sources have reported that there is said to also be an additional...

ANALYSIS: Tilapia Market Leading into Lent

The market for tilapia frozen fillets is reportedly steady with a decent inventory and tempered demand as we near the Lenten season, beginning Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Currently, wholesale prices for a chem-free frozen fillet from China ranging 5-7 ounces is averaging $2.40. This is the highest price recorded since April 2015...

LISTEN: Coronavirus Impact On The Seafood Industry

Join SeafoodNews Podcast co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione as they give updates on the coronavirus and the impact it is currently having on the seafood industry.

This episode is brought to you by COMTELL, which will be receiving a complete redesign this year. Subscribers who utilize COMTELL to track market quotations, analyze trends and stay on top of key industry news will see a host of new features. Streamlined navigation, customizable dashboards, filtering options, quick access to your favorite reports and more will make COMTELL an even more valuable tool....

Coronavirus Fears Result in Canceled Flights to China as CDC Raises Travel Advisory to Level 3 

On Thursday the World Health Organization convened to discuss the coronavirus outbreak in China and declared a "public health emergency of international concern." More flights to China (or out of China) are getting canceled as fears over the coronavirus rise.

China's National Health Commission confirmed on Friday that, as of midnight of January 30, the total number of confirmed infections of the virus has climbed to 9,692. This number includes 213 deaths. The number of infected climbs to...

Cruise Line Companies Cancel Cruises from China Due to Coronavirus

Businesses in and outside of China are taking a financial hit due to the coronavirus outbreak. Numerous restaurants and chains, like Starbucks and McDonald's, have closed locations in China, and some airlines have even suspended flights to the country. As for the latest industry to suffer from the coronavirus fallout? Cruise lines.

Royal Caribbean announced earlier this week that they canceled three Spectrum of the Seas sailings from Shanghai.

"In light of the latest developments with the coronavirus outbreak in China, we are suspending the...

Coronavirus Update: Reports of Drop in Lobster Exports, Reduced Buying of Dungeness Crab

Earlier this week SeafoodNews reported that there was anxiety in the live lobster market for both Canada and the U.S. due to the novel coronavirus in China. More details are emerging as the confirmed cases of the virus in China continue to grow.

"We've seen them diminish dramatically to the point that as of yesterday and today they're almost non-existent," Stewart Larmont of Tangier Lobster told CBC News of a "sharp drop" in lobster exports. "There's a recognition that the coronavirus is a significant health issue...

Anxiety in Live Lobster Market as Novel Coronavirus Halts Chinese New Year Sales

Urner Barry contacts in the live lobster market – for both Canada and the U.S. – are beginning to report some anxiety as the novel coronavirus halts Chinese New Year sales.

As SeafoodNews has been reporting, China's been struggling with a novel coronavirus outbreak since December 2019. The virus, which has claimed 81 lives so far, has resulted in the country issuing quarantine measures in Wuhan, where the outbreak is believed to have started at South China Seafood City, also known as the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market...

Shanghai Disney Resort Closes During Chinese New Year As Coronavirus Spreads

As the novel coronavirus spreads, Shanghai Disney Resort confirmed on Friday that beginning on January 25 they are temporarily closing Shanghai Disneyland, Disneytown including Walt Disney Grand Theatre and Wishing Star Park. They have no reopening date but said that they are "carefully monitoring the situation" and will "be in close contact with local government." The closure of the park is just the latest announcement regarding the cancellation of Spring Festival celebrations.

Shanghai Disney opened in 2016, and in 2017 received more than 580,000 tourists during the Spring Festival...

Thai Union China Sends Humanitarian Assistance To Wuhan

BANGKOK - The world’s largest producer of canned tuna has donated more than 52,000 cans of King Oscar tuna to the hospitals in Wuhan, China, the city at the center of the COVID-19 virus outbreak.

Thai Union China, a subsidiary of Thai Union Group, sent the high-protein seafood through a local logistics service and an online food delivery operator in China.

The first shipment went to workers of the Wuhan Leishenshan Hospital Project, one of two new hospitals being built for COVID-19 patients. The second shipment was sent to more ...

Ecuador's National Chamber of Aquaculture Says China's Shrimp Demand Should Recover 'Very Soon'

Jose Antonio Camposano, Executive President of the National Chamber of Aquaculture of Ecuador, says that the Ecuadorian shrimp industry should expect demand from China to recover "very soon." His comments come on the heels of Chinese authorities announcing the completion of the long holiday.  Camposano says that the end of Chinese New Year, which was extended by the Chinese government, will "generate a positive expectation for the Ecuadorian shrimp industry that expects a fast recovery of the demand, especially the one focusing on safe food...

Boston Seafood Show Organizers Comment on Impact of Participation from China Due to Coronavirus

Diversified Communications, the organizers of Seafood Expo North America, also referred to as the Boston Seafood Show, released another update regarding the impact of the coronavirus on the upcoming event.

According to Diversified, they are expecting to see an "impact in participation from Mainland China." The show, which is set to run from March 15 – 17 this year, attracted more than 22,000 seafood industry professionals in 2019. Based on their stats, China represents about 5% of the combined visitor and exhibitor attendee base, as well as...

Coronavirus Impacting Lobstermen Across the Country 

Lobstermen across the country are hurting as the coronavirus in China impacts their sales.

Normally during this time of year prices spike for Chinese New Year. However, with numerous celebrations being cancelled because of fears of the outbreak, and China banning imports of wild animals into the country, lobstermen are saying that their prices have dropped.

"Our prices went from the highest it's been all year to the lowest," James Voss, a California lobsterman told KCRW. Voss reports that prices went from $15 per pound to about...

December Import Numbers, Coronavirus Update, Valentine's Day by the Numbers and More

Join SeafoodNews Podcast co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione as they break down some December import numbers for pangasius, lobster and shrimp. Plus, find out what the Boston Seafood Show organizers said about the coronavirus; learn about some mergers and acquisitions within the seafood industry; and check out some Valentine's Day "by the numbers" stats.

This episode is brought to you by COMTELL, which will be receiving a complete redesign this year. Subscribers who utilize COMTELL to track market quotations, analyze trends and...

Coronavirus Outbreak Brings Many Challenges to the Seafood Industry, But There are Some Survivors

With the catastrophic coronavirus outbreak, China’s previously hustling seafood market has been trapped in depression during this Chinese New Year. This disaster not only influences the country’s imported seafood, but also domestic ones. Industry participants who used to sell out of fresh seafood at high prices in a blink of an eye are faced with large quantities left in stock. The country’s overall seafood sales is estimated to drop by about 2/3 compared with the previous festival...

Bakkafrost Salmon Banned From Entry Into Russia; Mowi And Other Salmon Producers Also Banned 

Beginning February 10, any fresh, chilled or frozen salmon from Bakkafrost will be banned from entering Russia.

In November 2018 the Russian government had placed a ban on certain Bakkafrost products following the discovery of bacteria in samples of salmon offcuts from the company's AUT 125 Glyvrar plant. Bakkafrost CEO Regin Jacobsen told Undercurrent News at the time that Faroese authorities would be auditing them and reporting back to Russian authorities.

"At the moment we are in negotiations with Russia, but as we understand from...

How the Coronavirus Could Impact the Phase One Trade Agreement with China

In mid-January the United States and China signed the "Phase One" economic and trade agreement, a deal that requires "structural reforms and other changes to China's economic and trade regime in the areas of intellectual property, technology transfer, agriculture, financial services, and currency and foreign exchange." The trade deal, which was supposed to go into effect in February, provided some relief to the seafood industry. The agreement included the promise that China would purchase an additional $200 billion in U.S. goods, and that...

Boston Seafood Show Organizers Issue Update on Coronavirus as U.S. Implements Travel Restrictions

Diversified Communications, the organizers of Seafood Expo North America, also known as the Boston Seafood Show, has released a statement regarding the novel coronavirus. The statement comes as health officials confirmed a coronavirus case in Boston – a man who recently traveled to Wuhan, China.

"The health and safety of our attendees and exhibitors is our primary concern," reads the statement from Diversified Communications.

According to the organizers, they are "monitoring the situation regarding the novel coronavirus." There are currently 11 cases of the coronavirus in...

Chinese Buyers Lose Interest in Ecuador White Shrimp at End of 2019; Uncertainties Follow into 2020

Last year saw Ecuador outrun other competitors and became the largest white shrimp exporter to China. Its export ballooned to 348,044 tons from 98,798 tons in 2018. However, relevant business participants can hardly feel the joy, and many are still recovering from the roller coaster ride of prices and the country’s limited purchases in the December.

In the early 2019, China’s white shrimp market was overshadowed by depressing rumors like collapse and the corresponding contraction of prices. But later, due to such factors as...

The Winding Glass: China Largest Global Importer of Shrimp; Coronavirus Threatens Price Stability

At the Aqua India 2020 meeting, held in Kochi January 31^st and Feb 1^st, the unexpected outbreak of the coronavirus is seen as a wild card with potential to upend the global shrimp market in the first half of 2020.

China surpassed the US as the largest importer of global shrimp, according to data through the 3^rd quarter of 2019.  Although most people in the industry are familiar with how much Ecuador’s expansion of production has been driven by...

Coronavirus Origin in Question as Cases in China Continue to Grow 

Did the mysterious pneumonia outbreak really start at South China Seafood City in Wuhan? That's the question as cases of the novel coronavirus in China continue to grow.

The first case of pneumonia was reported in Wuhan, the capital of Central China's Hubei province, in mid-December. Early reports linked the pneumonia cases to South China Seafood City, also known as Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, due to a number of the initial patients being vendors and dealers who worked at the seafood market. The market was closed on...

Russian Crab Producers on Verge of Record Losses Due to Coronavirus

The ever spreading coronavirus may result in serious losses of Russian crab producers supplying their products to China – the main sales market for them, according to recent statements from producers and industry analysts.

As German Zverev, president of the All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (WARPE), said in an interview to the Russian RBC business paper, the losses of Russian crab exporters in Q1 of the current year may reach $80 million USD in revenue due to lower demand for...

Chinese New Year Seafood Sales Threatened As Novel Coronavirus Outbreak Cancels Celebrations

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the biggest holiday in China and is celebrated by more than 20% of people around the world. Over 400 million people travel during the Chinese New Year, of which nearly 7 million of those travel abroad. This year, however, things are different. The novel coronavirus outbreak that started in Wuhan in December has resulted in quarantine measures and numerous Chinese New Year celebrations being canceled. What does this mean for the seafood industry?