China’s seafood sector has long centred on a handful of coastal provinces, but the future nexus of the industry appears to be Fujian province.
It’s the top source of Chinese exports in value terms, accounting for 27 percent of exports in 2015 in money terms. The province is also one of the few regions to grow in volume, having contributed 853,800 metric tons of seafood to China’s exports in 2015, up 7.8 percent. That still places it well behind the country’s top exporter in volume terms: Shandong, which shipped 1.07 million tons last year (down 7.8 percent).
However, according to provincial data, Fujian is the only one of China’s top five seafood exporting provinces to record growth in the overall value of its seafood exports in 2015. That growth is due to several factors, led by a strong shrimp farming scene. The province is also one of the most connected to the outside world, given its historical place as a leading source of Chinese migration.
Its proximity to Taiwan is another huge factor, as in recent years Fujian has become a natural second home for Taiwanese seafood companies looking to cut costs. But the province has also been aggressive in growing its overseas fishing fleet, particularly in Africa, with the bulk of the catch being shipped back to Fujian factories for processing and re-export.
