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  • Author: Aidan Twomey, Seafood Sector, Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board

    Impact of covid-19 on the seafood sector in key markets

    There is growing optimism as foodservice markets begin to reopen and demand for seafood begins to rise. However there are reports that state the market is still currently at around 50% of its pre-coved levels. Many processers are still impacted from tight margins and strict Covid-19 protocols are puts additional costs and pressures on the business. 

     

    France

    The French ‘Agrimer’ report stated that volumes of seafood sold in auction halls in France last year were down 24% in the first 5 months of 2020, compared to the same period of 2019 last year. In particular whitefish volumes sold were down 34% from 2019. This has impacted Irish exporters of whitefish to France who report that currently local fish supplies are being favoured over the imported product. Recent data from France showed that June food service turnover is 43% lower (around 3.5 billion euros worth) than in June 2019.

     

    Spain

    In Spain the HORECA industry is seeing positive signs of recovery. Kantar data reported that in the last week of easing restrictions, which ended on the 21st of June, out home consumption reached 70% of pre-covid lockdown levels. However according to the ‘Hostelería de Espana’ (The Spanish Horeca Business Association) it anticipated that between 20% and 30% of foodservice outlets will stay permanently closed. The Spanish market is proving to be particularly challenging for hake and megrim.

     

    China

    News has emerged from China that traces of Covid-19 has been found on packaging of Ecuadorian shrimp. This will have a knock on affect for all imported food coming into China but will hurt the seafood sector the most as there has been two cases of tainted seafood packaging in quick succession. As with the case with Salmon a few weeks ago, imported shrimp products have been pulled from retail and foodservice channels. This will impact Ireland’s exports of langoustines and oysters into the Chinese market. Chinese consumers are now more sensitive surrounding imported seafood and it is thought restaurants and seafood importers will suffer from these negative associations.

     

    Japan

    In Japan home meal oriented seafood products are still selling very well. Irish pelagic fish maintained a strong presence in the Japanese retail-oriented seafood distribution channels. There are reports that many in Japanese seafood trade are stepping up the pace to respond to the growing demand for products as Irish mackerel and horse mackerel which is positive. According to the Japanese Ministry of Finance, in May 2020 Japan imported 1,189MT of horse mackerel, and Ireland held 12% of share as the 4th biggest supplier. Japanese consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of food safety. Market reports confirm that Irish seafood products long established to the Japanese market are doing well amongst their mainstream