Reduced canned sardine sales to France from Morocco and Portugal

France imports around 14 to 15 000 tonnes of canned sardines annually. First half imports this year point to a reversal of the positive trend seen last year when volumes increased by 6% over 2003 levels. Total imports for the January-June period are down 8% to just under 7 500 tonnes compared to the first half of 2004. The decline in the value of imports was greater this year, -12% to almost €20 million, implying a drop in average import prices over the course of the past year.

Despite a 10% volume decline this year, Morocco continues to dominate French imports. The Moroccan share stands at about 71% of total imports, slightly down on the share for January-June 2004. In value terms the Moroccan share remains unchanged this year at 61%. Portugal, the second supplier to France, saw its share of total imports drop from over 20% last year to less than 17% this year. This share decline reflects a 24% fall in volume sales to France during the first six months this year.

In contrast to the decline in imports from both Morocco and Portugal this year, French imports from Spain have increased by 27% in volume terms. This increase may mark the end of, or at least a pause in, a continuous decline in French imports of Spanish canned sardines in recent years with the Spanish share being steadily eroded by competitively priced Moroccan product. Last year, France imported just over 1 000 tonnes from Spain compared to 2 700 tonnes in 2000. At the same time, unit values for French imports from Morocco remain well below those for Spain with Morocco continuing to dominate the own brand segment in French retail sales. The current positive trend for French imports of canned Spanish product is unlikely therefore to mark any significant reversal in the long term negative trend.

UK imports from Namibia and South Africa up sharply

Annual UK canned sardine imports, which also include canned pilchards, have averaged at just below 13 000 tonnes in recent years. Indications for the first half of 2005 suggest that the 13 000 tonne level will not be surpassed this year as volumes for the six month period are down 10% compared with the January-June period last year. The drop in value terms is more pronounced at 13%.

Morocco remains the leading supplier of canned sardines to the UK. However, first half volumes point to an interruption in the positive trend which has characterized UK canned imports from Morocco over the past ten years. From 2 500 tonnes in 1999, UK imports increased steadily to 6 200 tonnes last year. This year, imports are down 26% on the first half of 2004. Morocco’s share of imports has fallen in line with this decline, down from 58% last year (six months) to 48%.

In contrast to the decline in imports from Morocco, combined UK canned imports from Namibia and South Africa are up 67% this year. Poor pilchard landings in the southern region contributed to a decline in UK imports after 2001. Imports picked up again last year and 2005 looks like being a strong year for UK canned pilchard imports if first half trends are maintained. Finally the downward trend in UK imports from Portugal has continued into 2005. After declining by 15% during 2004, volumes are down a further 31% for the first half of this year compared to January-June 2004.

Morocco continues to dominate German canned sardine imports

Annual German canned sardine imports fluctuate around 11 000 tonnes. Following a 6% volume decline last year, imports are back on an upward trend this year with volumes up 8% for the first five months compared with the same period in 2004. The value of imports this year is unchanged at €11 million. The increase in import volumes is due to higher sales from the Netherlands and Portugal. However, Morocco remains, by a long distance, market leader in the German sardine trade, accounting for around 90% of total volumes imported. Imports from Morocco for the first five months are up slightly on January-May 2004 although the value of imports is down 10%, suggesting continued price competitiveness on the Moroccan side.

Few signs yet of major changes in long term import trends

The drop in French and UK canned sardine imports this year follows a year of above average import levels in both markets during 2004. Similarly, the increase in German imports during the early months of this year follows a year of below average canned sardine imports in that market. This year’s trends therefore do not suggest any major change in overall volume trends for the three markets. Canned sardine imports continue to fluctuate around a more or less stable average annual level. A development common to all three markets this year is a decline in unit values for imports suggesting continued price competitiveness in European canned sardine markets.

Gerry O’Sullivan
© 2005 FAO