Japan’s imports of fish and fish preparations declined by 2.6 percent by weight in fiscal year 2017 (through March 2017) as compared with FY 2016, amounting to a little over 2 million metric tons (MT), according to data released by Japanese Customs. The value was a little under JPY 1.5 trillion (USD 13.1 billion, EUR 12 billion), down by 5.3 percent.
Imports in the subcategory of shrimp, prawn and lobster imports were up 3.3 percent, totaling 167,370 MT, though the value was down by 3.4 percent, to JPY 201 billion (USD 1.8 billion, EUR 1.6 billion). The amount of shrimp rose while the value fell, likely reflecting lower prices on a general improvement in shrimp supply. Though current prices are actually higher than they were in May of 2016, the prices in the summer of 2015 (which falls into the fiscal year ending in March 2016) were much higher.
Japan’s imports of fish and fish preparations from the U.S.A. fell 10.8 percent by weight, to 271,470 MT, valued at JPY 129.6 billion (USD 1.1 billion, EUR 1 billion), down 16.8 percent. Shrimps, prawns and lobsters fell 5.8 percent to 648 MT, valued at JPY 1 billion (USD 8.8 million, EUR 8 million), down 16.9 percent.
Imports of fish and fish preparations from Russia fell noticeably, by 32.9 percent by weight, to 117.642 MT, and 39.5 percent by value, to about 107.6 billion yen (about USD 1 billion, EUR 0.9 billion), while shrimp, prawns and lobsters gained 4.4 percent by weight and 28.0 percent by value.
China sold Japan 405,509 MT of fish and fish preparations (up 1.4), valued at JPY 271 billion (USD 2.4 billion, EUR 2.2 billion) among which was 9,708 MT of shrimp, prawns and lobsters valued at 10.3 JPY billion (USD 0.9 billion, EUR 0.8 billion), a decline of 4.5 percent year on year. High values for China reflect the import of materials from other countries, and re-export to Japan after further processing as product of China.
Imports from the ASEAN countries were 377,733 MT for fish and fish preparations, a decline of 0.5, valued at JPY 300 billion (USD 2.6 billion, EUR 2.4 billion), down 6.4 percent. Shrimp, prawns and lobsters totaled 78,922 MT, up 2.8 percent, and valued at JPY 96 billion (USD 860 million, EUR 760 million).
