GENERAL TREND

National statistics for the January-February 2007 period indicated a marked increase in US shrimp imports (+7% on last year figures) while Japanese shrimp imports continued to decline (-8%).

The European Union, as a whole, was rather stable during the period under survey (-1% compared to the same period last year).

However, all major EU shrimp importing markets increased their shrimp consumption in significant proportions (compared to the same period last year), with the exception of the UK.

Spain, the number one shrimp importer among European countries, saw its imports increase at the beginning of this year thanks mainly to higher volumes from Argentina. France followed the same trend with higher volumes from its top suppliers: Brazil and Ecuador. On the opposite trend, UK experienced a drop in the prepared and preserved category due to the lack of availability of coldwater shrimp. Ecuador confirmed its predominance on the Italian market and Germany increased by almost 30% the volume of its total shrimp imports.

The good availability of warmwater shrimp at the beginning of the year pushed prices down in this category while an increase in prices is reported for coldwater prawns due a the shortage from most exporting countries.

SPAIN: ARGENTINA MULTIPLIED FOUR FOLD THE VOLUME OF ITS EXPORTS

During the January-February 2007 period, Spanish shrimp imports increased by 11% in terms of volume and by 5% in terms of value compared to the same period in 2006. This increase is mainly due to Argentinean exports which almost quadrupled on last year figures. Argentina, which was by far the number one shrimp supplier to Spain up to 2004, plummeted to 5th position among top exporters in 2005 and to 8th position last year due to lack of availability of Pleoticus muelleri. However, it seems that the low stock situation of the past few years has stabilized, and some improvements are evident in the beginning-of-year figures.

China remained the top shrimp supplier to Spain with 22% market share of total Spanish shrimp imports, although it experienced a slight decrease (-8%) on 2006 figures. After a very dark period from 2002 to 2004 as a consequence of the EU ban for zero tolerance on chloramphenical (in 2002) and the SARS alarm (2003), China slowly recovered its position among top shrimp exporters to the EU in 2005 to consolidate it in 2006 and 2007. Ecuador confirmed its position of second exporter to Spain with 13% market share.

In terms of value, China was again the number one supplier to Spain, during the period under survey, with 18 millions euro, followed by Argentina with 14.8 millions euro.

FRANCE: BRAZIL KEEP THE LEADING POSITION, BUT SALES DECREASE

France also experienced an increase of its shrimp imports at the beginning of the year (+12% compared to the same period last year).

Brazil continued to be predominant on the French market with 2 275 tonnes exported in January-February 2007 against 1 718 tonnes in 2006. The average unit value for Brazilian products decreased from €3.54/kg in Jan-Feb 2006 to €2.99/kg this year. Brazil reports lower incomes for the first half of this year, due to less competitive products as a consequence of the devaluation of the dollar compared to real. Brazilian exporters turn to the domestic market where demand is high.

Ecuador consolidated its position of second supplier to France and increased by 23% the volume of its exports compared to last year.

Madagascar, which used to be the traditional number one supplier to France, lost ground on the French market in terms of volume but kept the top position in terms of value with 8 millions euro for the first two months of the year (6.8 millions euro in 2006). Malagasy products entered the French market at an average unit value equal to €9.50/kg, while - as mentioned before – Brazilian products were as low as €2.99/kg (average unit value) and Ecuadorian products were offered at €3.53/kg (products are however not comparable in terms of species and quality).

UK: COLDWATER SHRIMP SHORTAGE

UK recorded a decrease in its shrimp imports at the beginning of this year (-7% in volume and -12% in value compared to the same period last year). This is particularly true for the prepared and preserved category which registered a 13% decrease. Prepared and preserved products represented 44% of UK total shrimp imports while frozen products corresponded to 54% of the total.

Major processed shrimp suppliers experienced a drop in their exports to UK due to weaker landings. In particular, Iceland (first supplier in this category) saw a 19% decrease compared to last year with only 1 434 tonnes. Denmark followed the same trend ( 21%) with 1 181 tonnes.

In contrast, Asian countries (frozen warmwater shrimp exporters) increased their market share on the UK market. India – first exporter to UK for frozen warmwater shrimp and also top supplier for all categories combined – increased by 20% the volume of its exports compared to last year, with 2 189 tonnes; so did Indonesia with a 5% increase. Recently the European Union had to reject products of Pakistani origin re-exported by Indian companies. This happened after the EU imposed a ban, for quality reasons, on Pakistani shrimp in March 2007.

Thailand gained ground on the UK market and doubled the volume of its exports to this country. This is true for both frozen and processed products.

ITALY AND GERMANY TO BE COUNTED AMONG MAJOR EU SHRIMP IMPORTERS

Both Italian and German markets recorded an increase in their total shrimp imports for the first two months of the year, respectively +14% (with 8914 tonnes) and +29% (7 172 tonnes) compared to 2006.

Italian shrimp imports were mainly in frozen form and predominantly of Ecuadorian origin. Indeed, imports from this country represented 34% of total Italian imports. The Ecuadorian market share continued to increase (+8% on last year figures) to the detriment of other countries like China, India and Argentina which used to be main supplier to Italy before landings collapsed in 2004.

Germany recorded the most remarkable growth in shrimp imports among European countries with 7 172 tonnes against 5 543 tonnes last year (+30%), divided almost equally between frozen and processed products. India and Netherlands shared the lead on this market, India being present on the market for both frozen and processed products and the Netherlands being mainly a re-exporter of processed products.

Karine Boisset
© 2007 FAO