2006 a good year for Moroccan canned sardine sales to key European markets

Morocco consolidated its leading position in European canned sardine markets during 2006 as several countries including France, the UK and Germany, maintained the upward trend in imports also evident during 2005. Last year’s imports in the three markets were the strongest over the 2002-2006 period with France the leading European import market at almost 17 000 tonnes. Notwithstanding the strong performance of Morocco, Portugal also significantly increased canned sardine supplies to the French and UK markets last year.

Strong increase in French imports from Portugal

French canned sardine imports increased by 6% to just under 17 000 tonnes following a 9% increase from Morocco and a 24% increase from Portugal which more than balanced a 25% fall in volumes from Spain. These increases resulted in Morocco’s share of French imports edging up from 76 to 78% while the Portuguese share increased from 13 to 15%.

The dominance of Morocco in French imports is underpinned by competitive pricing with unit import values for Moroccan product last year at €2.44/kg well below those for both Portugal and Spain, respectively €4.13/kg and €3.81/kg. Unit values for Moroccan supplies increased by 6% in 2006 suggesting an increase in prices and/or a shift to higher value products in the composition of exports from Morocco to France. Morocco remains the key supplier of private label canned sardine products for the French retail chains.

Drop in Namibian canned pilchard sales to the UK

Morocco’s share of UK canned sardines/pilchards imports also rose last year, jumping from 34% in 2005 to 55%. The increased share was based on a 70% increase in volumes to 8 000 tonnes and followed a two thirds drop in UK imports of canned pilchards from Namibia. Namibia’s share of UK sardine/pilchard imports had jumped from almost 20% in 2004 to just under a third in 2005 but dropped back to 10% last year as a result of the volume decline. Portugal also benefited from the reduced sales from Namibia, increasing its share of total UK imports from 12 to 25%.

Morocco consolidates dominance in German market

In Germany, canned sardine imports followed somewhat similar trends to those of France and the UK with overall volumes increasing by 10% during 2006 thanks to a 17% rise in imports from Morocco. This latter increase confirmed Morocco’s dominance of German imports lifting its share of total imports from 87 to 92%.

Upward trend in French imports continues into 2007

Initial indications for 2007 point to a continuation of the positive import trend noted in France last year. Total French import volumes increased 20%, to 3 000 tonnes, during January-February compared with the same period in 2006. As in 2006, increased imports were based mainly on stronger sales from Morocco, up 28%, to 2 300 tonnes, this year.

Gerry O'Sullivan
© 2007 FAO