Positive trend in European canned sardine imports

With full year figures still to be released, canned sardine import trends were largely positive during 2005 in leading European markets. Volumes were up 6% in France for the January-November period while German imports increased 2% during the first nine months compared to corresponding periods in 2004. In the UK, combined imports of canned sardines and pilchards increased by 3% during the first eleven months.

Although Morocco continues to be the leading supplier to these markets, its share of volume imports declined somewhat during 2005. This development may be price related: in the French and UK markets, the increase in average unit values for imports from Morocco was above the overall average for all suppliers

Spain increases share of French imports

French canned sardine imports have increased more or less steadily from 12 700 tonnes in 2000 to 15 000 tonnes last year. Imports are likely to have increased further last year with volumes up 6% for the January-November period compared with the first eleven months of 2004. Imports also increased 6% in value terms pointing to stable average import values between 2004 and 2005.

The increase in French imports last year was due to a 5% increase in imports from Morocco, the leading supplier to France, and a 16% increase from Spain. These increases more than balanced a small decline in volumes from Portugal, the second supplier to the French market. Despite the volume increase, Morocco’s share of imports fell slightly from almost 77% to just below 76%.

Average unit values for French imports were stable at around €2.60/kg over the period while average values for Morocco increased by 2% to €2.31/kg.

Jump in UK canned pilchard imports from Namibia

Annual UK imports of canned sardines and pilchards have fluctuated around twelve to thirteen thousand tonnes in recent years. Imports for 2005 are likely to have been at the upper end of the range with volumes for the first eleven months up 3% to 12 600 tonnes. In value terms, imports grew a similar rate, +4%, to £19 million.

The increases are due essentially to a jump in import of canned pilchards from Namibia, +66%, to 4 200 tonnes. This progression consolidates Namibia’s position as second supplier to the UK market, increasing its share of imports from a fifth to a third. Despite an 8% volume decline, Morocco remains the leading supplier to the UK although its share of imports dropped last year to 42.5% from over 47% during the first eleven months of 2004. Portugal, the third supplier to the UK, suffered an even sharper fall with volumes down 29% last year and its share of UK imports falling from 17% in 2004 to less than 12% for January-November 2005.

Average unit values for all imports increased by 2% to £1.51/kg while unit values for imports from Morocco were up 10% to £1.62/kg. Although the unit value increase for Namibia was also above the overall average at 8%, the Namibia value is low, at less than £1/kg, in absolute terms.

Turkey and Portugal increase sales to the German market

Germany imports 11 000 tonnes of canned sardines on average each year. Imports during the first nine months of last year were slightly up, +2% to 7 900 tonnes, on the same period in 2004.

As in the UK, volumes from Morocco, the leading supplier, declined last year although it continues to dominate imports. For the nine month period last year, the Moroccan share of imports stood at 84%, down from 94% during the January-September period in 2004. The drop in imports from Morocco was more than balanced by increases from other countries, notably Turkey and Portugal. Imports from Turkey increased more than thirteen fold, to just under 400 tonnes, while imports from Portugal more than doubled to almost 300 tonnes.

Prices appear to have been more competitive in the German market last year with average unit values for total canned sardine imports falling by 8% to €2.50/kg. Average values for Moroccan imports declined 6% to €2.46/kg.


Price to remain key variable during 2006

Perhaps more than most other seafood segments, price plays a critical role in European canned sardine markets. With retail chains continuing to focus on price as a key marketing variable, competition among canned sardine producers is likely to remain intense during 2006.

Gerry O’Sullivan
© 2006 FAO