Mixed 2006 trends for Spanish and French shrimp imports

Contrasting shrimp import trends in Spain and France are again evident this year. During 2005, Spanish imports grew by 7%, passing the 155 000 tonne mark for the first time. French shrimp imports, on the other hand, stagnated around 101 000 tonnes. First half figures for 2006 point to continued growth in Spanish imports while French volumes are slightly down on the first half of 2005. Both countries share an upward trend in average import unit values although it is not clear to what extent unit values increases are due to a change in the composition of imports (such as larger sizes) or to straight price increases.

China consolidates position as leading supplier to Spain

Probably the most striking development in the Spanish shrimp market during 2005 was the jump in imports from China. Following an easing of EU restrictions, China increased its share of Spanish imports from 2% in 2004 to 17% to become the leading shrimp supplier to Spain last year. The positive trend for Chinese sales to Spain has continued into 2006 with first half volumes up 27%, to over 12 000 tonnes, compared with the same period last year. China’s share of frozen Spanish imports has increased from just over 17% last year to 19.5% this year.

In contrast, the negative trend for Brazilian sales to Spain has continued. Weaker farmed shrimp production in Brazil resulted in a 6% drop in Spanish imports during 2005. Volumes for the first half of 2006 are also down, - 4% to 6 300 tonnes, implying a fall in Brazil’s share of frozen imports from 12 to 10%. The country has been overtaken as the second shrimp supplier to the Spanish market by Ecuador which has seen a 66% increase in volumes this year. The Ecuadorian increase continues the trend set in 2005 when imports into Spain jumped by 55% confirming Ecuador’s resurgence in international shrimp markets.

Finally, signs of a recovery in Argentinean shrimp sales to Spain are also evident this year with volumes up 20% to 4 500 tonnes. For a number of years up to 2005, Argentina was the leading supplier to the Spanish shrimp market with sales of its wild, Pleoticus muelleri. The decline in landings from 2001 has seen Argentina’s share of Spanish imports falling steadily to just 3% in 2005. The recovery of the fishery over the past year has boosted sales to Spain with the Argentinean share of frozen imports at 7% for the first half of this year.

Brazil remains leading supplier to France despite lower volumes

The contrasting results described above in the Spanish market for the current year are also evident in France. Brazil has, for a number of years, been the leading volume supplier to France with sales of whole frozen farmed P. vannamei destined for French processors. Between 2001 and 2004, French imports from Brazil grew from around 6 000 to 24 000 tonnes. Since 2004, weaker production levels in Brazil have impacted on exports with volumes to France falling 7% last year.

The decline has continued into 2006 with first half volumes down almost 14% to less than 10 000 tonnes. This decline contributed to an overall 3% drop in French imports during the first six months of the year. Brazil remains, nevertheless, by far the leading volume supplier to the French market.

The recent recovery in Ecuador’s farmed shrimp industry appears to be still on track and sales to France are up again this year, partially offsetting the Brazilian decline. A 20% volume increase has meant that Ecuador’s share of French frozen warmwater shrimp imports increased to 13% for the first half compared to 10% for the same period in 2005 and 6% in 2004.

Despite a steady decline in exports to France in recent years, Madagascar continues to be the leading warmwater shrimp supplier in value terms. Madagascar’s share of imports in this segment is down slightly this year from 21 to 20% just ahead of Brazil’s 19% share but well ahead of Ecuador’s 10% share.


Broadly stable import price trend for fourth quarter

Frozen shrimp import price indications in the European Price Report suggest stable to slightly positive euro price trends for the third quarter of 2006. Going into the final quarter, there are few signs of any major supply constraints which suggest that prices will remain competitive over the coming months in what appears to be a largely stable demand context in key European markets.

Gerry O'Sullivan
© 2006 FAO