Average wholesale seafood prices in China rose 9.1 percent in the first three quarters of the year compared to the same period last year, according to China’s Ministry of Agriculture.
The ministry surveyed 80 wholesale markets and found the average price of seafood sold was CNY 25.4 (USD 4.06, EUR 3.55) per kilo. However, prices have declined since, in line with the end of the moratorium on fishing in China’s domestic waters, which annually runs through the summer.
The ministry also credits a surge in freshwater aquaculture production prompted by expectations of rising prices for the moderation in pricing. China’s domestic aquaculture output rose 3.8 percent year-on-year through Q3 2021 to 43.47 million tons, up 3.8 percent year-on-year. Ocean seafood production rose 4.3 percent, while freshwater production reached 21.1 million tons, up 4.9 percent year-on-year in volume.
Demand for seafood in China has risen through the fall, with online retailer JD.com claiming its sales of fresh seafood rose 105 percent year-on-year on Singles Day (11 November), with crab rising the most in popularity.
Photo courtesy of JD.com
