China’s seafood imports slumped sharply in 2020, according to preliminary data from the country’s customs authorities.
The data also show the country’s seafood exports dropped, though by a smaller margin.
Imports in the category termed “sea and water products” were down 12.5 percent in volume to 4.02 million metric tons (MT) in 2020, while falling 19.2 percent in value terms to USD 13.4 billion (EUR 11.1 billion), according to data published by the General Administration of Customs. Imports in the “frozen fish” category fell 12.8 percent to 2.2 million MT and 20 percent in value to CNY 2.72 billion (USD 408 million, EUR 353 million).
By contrast, China’s seafood imports reached USD 15.4 billion (EUR 18.6 billion) in 2019, a 30 percent increase over 2018.
Since the summer, Chinese Customs has instituted strict screening of imported seafood over fears it could carry COVID-19 into the country. The clampdown has also affected demand for imported seafood products across China over food safety concerns.
Meanwhile, China's seafood exports (for the category “sea and water products”) dropped 10.8 percent in volume terms in 2020 to 3.74 million MT, while decreasing 7.6 percent in value to USD 12.9 billion (EUR 10.6 billion).
China’s seafood exports totaled 2.72 million MT, down 9.2 percent year-on-year, including 880,000 MT of processed product, down 15.3 percent year-on-year.
So-called “Bonded goods” totaled 140,000 MT, down 7.9 percent from 2019, though the value of bonded goods was up 20 percent in value.
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