Growing domestic incomes and changing life styles of the average consumer is fueling demand for many high value seafood species in China, creating abundant opportunities for U.S. exporters.
According to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2012 several high-end U.S. seafood exports grew at a faster pace than the traditional U.S. seafood exports to destine for north China’s processing and re-export industry.
“Demand for high-end U.S. Seafood in South China remains strong” shows that Russia continues to be the top supplier of Chian’s fish and seafood imports, followed by the U.S.
The U.S. exported 476,224 tons of seafood products valued at USD 1.13 billion (EUR 853 million) to China in 2011. For the first nine months of 2012, U.S. seafood exports to China were 280,774 tons valued at USD 726.52 million (EUR 549 million) — a 16 percent decline in volume and an 8 percent decrease in value from the same time period in 2012.
For high-end seafood exporters, the decline is not due to a drop in demand, but to “tighter inspection procedures and sting operations for trade entering through grey channels,” according to the report.
In major cities, more families are turning to ready-to-cook, processed seafood products, such as processed fish, shellfish, shrimp and prawns, making these items are increasingly popular in supermarkets. The most widely seen U.S. seafood products in local supermarkets include Pollock and cod, plaice and pacific salmon. There is also increasing opportunities to promote branded items to the young and affluent consumers, who increasingly prefer to shop in supermarkets. Along with the growing middle-class with booming economies, the potential for high value seafood products remains promising.
Click here to read the USDA’s full report.
