First quarter canned sardine imports up in France and the UK

Canned sardine and pilchard imports in several European markets including France, the UK and Germany, increased last year compared to 2004 levels. The positive trend is again evident this year with first quarter volume increases in both France and the UK. Strong increases in imports from Morocco have consolidated this country’s leading position as a supplier to both markets. Significant increases in French and UK imports from Portugal during the January-March period this year contrast with the 2005 trend when volume sales declined. Initial indications in the French market for the second quarter of this year point, however, to a slowdown in import volumes.

25% increase in French imports from Morocco

The French canned sardine industry has been consolidating over the past twenty years as increased imports of lower cost product have forced domestic producers to focus more on niche market segments. Lower domestic production has followed higher import volumes as competitively priced product, particularly from Morocco, has taken a greater share of an increasingly price oriented retail sector. Since 2000, annual French imports have jumped from less than 13 000 tonnes to almost 16 000 tonnes last year with volumes from Morocco almost doubling over the period. Morocco now accounts for the bulk of retail private label sales in France.

The upward trend in French canned sardine imports has continued into 2006. First quarter volumes increased by 16%, to 4 200 tonnes, compared to the first quarter of 2005. Morocco has again consolidated its leading position as a supplier to France with volumes up 25%. The Moroccan share has increased from 73% during the first quarter of 2005 to 79% this year.
The increased Moroccan share has come at the expense of other suppliers particularly Spain which experienced a drop in import share from 11 to less than 8%. Portugal, the second supplier, has also seen its share decline this year despite a 13% volume increase.

The overall increase in French imports during the first quarter has come about despite an increase in average unit values, implying higher prices this year for imports. Average values are up 4%, to €2.69/kg, compared to the first quarter of 2005. Despite a 9% increase this year, to €2.48/kg, average values for Moroccan imports remains below the overall average for total imports. In contrast, average Portuguese values are down by 6%, a decline which contributed, no doubt, to the increased level of French imports from Portugal this year.

Outlook

Initial indications for French canned sardine imports at the start of the second quarter contrast with first quarter trends with volumes down 21% for April compared to April 2005. Despite the decline, overall imports for the first four months of 2006 remain above levels for the corresponding period of last year.

Gerry O'Sullivan
© 2006 FAO