For the first time, China has surpassed Australia as New Zealand’s No. 1 seafood export market, in terms of value.
China imported NZD 299.6 million worth of New Zealand seafood in 2011, up NZD 9.3 million from 2010, according a report released earlier this week by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Australia came in at No. 2 at NZD 274.7 million, followed by the United States at NZD 161.5 million, Hong Kong at NZD 145.5 million and Japan at NZD 131.6 million.
The total value of New Zealand seafood exports reached NZD 1.53 billion in 2011, up 2.9 percent from 2010.
In terms of volume, China remained on top, importing 77.6 million kilograms of New Zealand seafood last year, representing just over one-quarter total New Zealand seafood exports. Again, Australia came in at a distant No. 2 at 33.4 million kilograms, accounting for 11.8 percent of quarter total New Zealand seafood exports. Next came Japan at 20.85 million kilograms, followed closely by the United States at 20.75 million kilograms.
The total volume of New Zealand seafood exports hit 301.5 million kilograms last year, up 0.5 percent from the previous year.
The ministry said in its reports that strength of the Australian and Chinese economies is driving demand for New Zealand seafood. However, it pointed to signs that both economies are beginning to lose momentum, which will impact the market for the country’s seafood.
New Zealand’s top seafood exports by volume are hoki at 51.2 million kilograms in 2011, mussels at 38.1 million kilograms, squid at 31.9 million kilograms, Jack mackerel at 23.1 million kilograms, Southern blue whiting at 21 million kilograms and tuna (all species) at 18 million kilograms.
