Southern Shrimp Alliance: Interagency Seafood Trade Task Force Must Address Imports

Organizations around the country are taking advantage of suggesting ways the Interagency Seafood Trade Task Force can help the domestic seafood industry.

For the Southern Shrimp Alliance, that means a strong strategy to address imports, specifically shrimp imports.

NOAA Fisheries reports the U.S. had a $16.8 billion trade deficit in edible seafood in 2018, the Alliance said in a press release. This trade deficit has grown significantly over the last decade: since 2010, the value of seafood imports increased ...

NOAA Seeking Written Input on Interagency Seafood Trade Strategy

NOAA is seeking written input on the Interagency Seafood Trade Strategy, according to a notice in the Federal Register.

As previously reported, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order on “Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth” on May 7. The Executive Order included the creation of the Interagency Seafood Trade Task Force (or Seafood Trade Task Force), which would be co-chaired by the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative. The goal of the task force is to develop a “comprehensive interagency seafood trade strategy...

Following U.S. Ban of Seafood Imports from Mexico, Vaquita Case Against NMFS Dismissed

A lawsuit brought against the U.S. government, including the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), by multiple environmental groups was dismissed by a federal judge on Wednesday.  

In the suit, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Biological Diversity and Animal Welfare Institute claimed that the U.S. government did not protect endangered vaquita porpoises because it did not ban imports of seafood caught with gillnets.

“It is undisputed that the vaquita is being caught inadvertently and tangled, strangled and drowned in the gillnets,” Katzmann wrote in his opinion...

Ecuador's Shrimp Sector Assessing Export Markets Amid Coronavirus Outbreaks

Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (Cámara Nacional De Acuacultura) noted that the country’s shrimp sector is monitoring the impact that COVID-19 (coronavirus) will have on its exports.

With countries implementing travel bans and imposing other public health regulations, the sector said that the consumption of products, including Ecuadorian shrimp will be limited. The chamber noted Italy, which announced a general quarantine until April 3.

“Italy today within the European Union is the most affected country and this country acquires 30% of our exports to the European Union..."

China’s Tariff Exemption Step in the Right Direction for U.S. Lobster Industry

Relief may be in sight for the United States lobster industry. After the Chinese market was largely taken off the table due to the U.S.-China trade war, recent tariff exemptions may bring China back into the fold.

On February 18, China announced that 696 U.S. products would be exempt from tariffs, including 42 seafood products, worth $300 million.

Live, fresh and chilled lobster is one of the key items listed. On the surface, this is good news for lobstermen, particularly in Maine, who have...

President Trump Delivers State of the Union Address; NFI President John Connelly Commends President

Last night, President Trump spoke to the Nation for the third time during the annual State of the Union address. There was an overall tone of patriotism in the Capitol Building, as members of Congress could be heard cheering and chanting "USA," as President Trump discussed what lies ahead for the United States with optimism.

President Trump began with the success of the economy and job growth, stating that the economy is "the best it has ever been." The President discussed the booming amount of jobs...

Maine Representatives Urge USTR to Hold China Accountable on U.S. Lobster Commitment

A delegation of Maine representatives sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer asking for specific information regarding China’s commitment to purchase lobster in a recently announced U.S.-China trade deal.

U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) pushed the USTR to release China’s financial commitment to American lobster.

The representatives cited China’s history of not fulfilling trade agreements. The delegation wants transparency to ensure that China will purchase American lobster...

Imported Seafood Flooding China's Expanding Market Ahead of Chinese New Year

With Chinese New Year around the corner, local distributors are occupied with buying large quantities of seafood to satisfy enthusiastic consumers, who prefer these healthy options in holiday feasts. According to Shun, one buyer attending a Qingdao fisheries expo, seafood has become an everyday dish for many Chinese households.

Statistics show that Chinese aquatic output has skyrocketed by 144 times to 64.58 million tons in 2018 compared with that of 1949. But the country is still increasing imports to meet domestic demand, which not only impresses...

Food Export Northeast Trade Mission: Spreads US Lobster in Dubai, Introduces Jonah Crab in Spain

As the Northeast fishing industry deals with effects of tariffs imposed on China and climate change that may shift species as they look for colder waters, Food Export USA-Northeast led a trade mission to Dubai and Spain.

In Dubai, Food Export aimed to open the door for American lobster in what is a lucrative export market. Meanwhile, Jonah crab was introduced to a new market in Spain. The mission's aim was to help combat pressures and help the industry diversify through new export...

US Tries to Get Mini-Deal Tariff Relief on Lobsters from EU, but No Dice

The US trade representative Robert Lighthizer tried to get a mini-deal done with the EU that would have lifted tariffs on US lobster for export to the EU.

Currently Canadian lobster, both live and frozen, can enter the EU duty-free, while US lobster faces an 8% tariff on live, and a 6% tariff on frozen.  This has been enough to radically shift markets in France and Italy to Canada, which enjoys a significant tariff price advantage.

According to a report that first appeared in Politico Europe, the US proposed a mini-trade agreement covering lobsters and some chemicals, in which the EU would drop tariffs on these...

Vietnam Turns to China for Saving its Basa Industry, but Uncertanties Loom in the Neighboring Market

Vietnam’s basa prices have been on a roller coaster ride in recent years. The previous strong demand used to push prices upward, but now they have plummeted. As local statistics show, farm gate prices have dropped to between VND19,000 and VND20,000 per kg, about VND 2,000 to VND 3,000 per kg lower than average aquaculture costs.

Some farmers complain that the more basa they sell, the more money they lose. According to some media, this dive is mainly a result of the U.S. cutting purchases and ...

Protests Continue in Chile as Product Reaches Market

Unrest in Chile continued this week as protesters yet again took to the streets. The number of demonstrators was smaller on Monday, but the outrage among the country’s citizens doesn’t appear to be shrinking, according to the Associated Press.

Over the course of the protests, salmon production has been limited due to curfews, road blockades. Multiple plants have had to battle looting incidents and fires as well.

Some salmon producers continue to feel significant pressure, especially in the port city of Quellon.

According to Salmon Expert Chile, protesters are blocking roads...

US, China Continue to Implement Phase One Trade Agreement

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) noted progress in the implementation of the U.S.-China Phase One trade deal, in a joint announcement.

Both countries took steps to complete agriculture-related provisions including updates regarding seafood exports to China.

The USTR highlighted d China’s updated list of 397 seafood facilities that are eligible to export products to the country. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service also updated its export library, providing additional guidance for U.S. meat exporters including information about what products can be shipped...

Russia Hopes to Significantly Increase Exports of Pollock Fillets to U.S. Market This Year

USTR Denies 25% Tariff Exclusion Request for Frozen Tilapia From China

A pair of requests from companies looking to be excluded from 25% tariffs on frozen tilapia imports from China were rejected by the United States Trade Representative on March 5.

Requests from Hawaii-based Hilo Fish Company and J&J Seafoods, based in California, were denied according to letters signed by General Counsel Joseph Barloon. The letters were posted on the USTR’s website.

J&J’s request called for exclusions on “individually quick frozen tilapia fillets of varying sizes treated with tasteless smoke, packaged together in bags or carton...

China Cuts Tariffs on $75 Billion of U.S. Goods, Over 100 Seafood Items Included

China announced on Thursday that they will halve tariffs on hundreds of U.S. goods worth around $75 billion.

The country will lower retaliatory tariffs from 10% to 5% on some goods and 5% to 2.5% on others. The change will take effect on February 14, according to a statement from China’s Finance Ministry. The U.S. will follow suit by slashing tariffs in half for $120 billion worth of Chinese goods on the same day.

The goal of the tariff relief was...

USITC Launches Investigation on Impact of Illegal Seafood Imports on U.S. Fishermen

After receiving a letter from Ways & Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) launched an investigation on the impact of illegal seafood imports have on U.S. fishermen.

The USITC is currently seeking input to the extent to which seafood products obtained from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing are imported into the U.S. and the impact it has on America’s commercial fishermen...

China’s Imported White Shrimp Trade Changing Quickly, Frustrating Suppliers

In early December, prices of imported white shrimp began to contract in the Chinese market and local importers and traders have gotten more cautious. One main reason for this decline is said to be excessive stock. Importers bought too many white shrimps earlier due to their overestimation of domestic demand and also due to their concerns about unstable foreign supply, according to media reports.

Within recent years, demand for imported white shrimp has skyrocketed in China, which in turn lured a great number of businessmen to enter the industry...

Russia Expects Significant Seafood Export Growth This Year

Fish exports from Russia are expected to reach $4.83 billion USD this year, up 12.7% on a year-on-year basis, according to recent predictions of the All-Russian Association of Fishery Enterprises (VARPE) President German Zverev and some other industry analysts.

In volume terms, exports will grow by about 3.1% and reach 1.832 million tons, one of the record figures for Russia for the last several years.

According to VARPE experts, Russian fish export value growth can mainly be explained by the strengthening of global prices for whitefish, particularly...

Russia Plans to Replace Chinese Fish Processors in US Pollock Fillets Market in Future

Russia plans to replace Chinese fish processors in the US pollock fillets market in years to come, mainly due to the ongoing US-China trade wars and the overall stagnation of fish processing industry in China, according to recent statements, made by Petr Savchuk, deputy head of the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo). 

Savchuk believes the current trade war with the US and the introduction of customs duties negatively affect the level of competitiveness of Chinese fish products in global market.

Petr Savchuk comments...

Chilean Salmon Making Its Way to the States as National Strikes Stall the Country

Tuesday marked the 26^th day of demonstrations in Chile, led by a national strike that shut down the majority of the country.

According to Reuters, alongside strikes in major cities, truck drivers and other demonstrators barricaded two major highways. The highways connect the capital city of Santiago with other cities and ports, leading to huge backups throughout the country.

According to industry sources, logistics to get fish out of Chile remain a challenge. However, product is making its way to the U.S. market and is available...

AK Governor Dunleavy Tours Japan On Trade Mission This Week

Alaska’s Governor Mike Dunleavy and his wife Rose are on a trade mission to Japan this week, according to a press release from the governor’s office on Monday.

No other participant -- either from industry or Dunleavy’s administration -- is mentioned as accompanying the governor. The dates of his travel and length of his stay were also not included in the release.

The governor and First Lady are promoting the state’s seafood and natural resources by meeting with leaders in the energy, minerals and seafood industries. They are also building “upon the long...