The aquatic product trade landscape experienced pivotal changes in 2023, with significant fluctuations impacting both import and export volumes and values. This comprehensive and professional analysis of China’s aquatic product industry offers invaluable insights into the evolving dynamics over the past year. For international buyers looking to navigate these waters successfully, understanding the nuances detailed in this article could propel your business and its performance by at least 40%. Dive into the intricate trade statistics and trends of China’s aquatic products to unlock potential growth opportunities for you and your company.
The general situation of the aquatic products trade
In December 2023, the import and export value of aquatic products in China was 3,348.9 million US dollars, a decrease of 14.6% compared to the same period last year. Among them, the export value was 1774.4 million US dollars, a decrease of 12.3%, and the import value was 1574.6 million US dollars, a decrease of 17.1%. The net export value for the month was 199.8 million US dollars. From January to December 2023, China’s total import and export value of aquatic products reached 39,649.2 million US dollars, a decrease of 6.5% compared to the same period last year. The cumulative export value was 19,871.5 million US dollars, a decrease of 12.0%, and the cumulative import value was 19,777.6 million US dollars, a decrease of 0.3%. The cumulative net export value was 93.9 million US dollars.
In December 2023, China’s aquatic product trade experienced mixed results, with a total volume of 744,000 tons, marking a 6.4% decline from the previous year. Notably, exports showed resilience, increasing by 3.1% to reach 354,000 tons, while imports fell by 13.6% to 391,000 tons. Throughout the year, from January to December 2023, China witnessed a positive trend in its aquatic product trade, with a cumulative volume of 8.717 million tons, reflecting a 5.9% year-on-year growth. This growth was driven by a modest 0.1% increase in exports, totaling 3.702 million tons, and a significant 10.6% rise in imports, which reached 5.015 million tons. This data highlights the dynamic nature of China’s aquatic product market and its evolving role in the global seafood trade.
Trade situation of various seafood products in 2023
Composition of Seafood Product Trade Exports
In December 2023, China’s export market for aquatic products showcased diverse performance across its top categories. The leading exports included general aquatic products, frozen fish, and mollusks, generating revenues of $745.8 million, $254.1 million, and $230.7 million, respectively. These categories dominated the export scene, contributing to 42.0%, 14.3%, and 13.0% of the total aquatic product export values, despite experiencing mixed year-on-year growth rates of -7.4%, 17.2%, and -13.5%.
Throughout the entirety of 2023, China’s aquatic exports were led by the same three categories. Cumulatively, exports of aquatic products, mollusks, and frozen fish reached $8,928.1 million, $2,526.2 million, and $2,256.2 million, respectively, representing 44.9%, 12.7%, and 11.4% of the year’s total exports. However, they saw varying growth rates of -9.6%, -25.2%, and a slight decrease of -0.3%.
Focusing on export volumes in December 2023, aquatic products, frozen fish, and mollusks were at the forefront, with quantities of 123,000 tons, 99,000 tons, and 43,000 tons, respectively. These figures accounted for 34.8%, 28.1%, and 12.3% of December’s exports, reflecting growth rates of -2.1%, 61.8%, and -7.2%.
Over the year, from January to December 2023, the export volumes for these key product categories were 1.384 million tons for aquatic products, 890,000 tons for frozen fish, and 447,000 tons for mollusks. They constituted 37.4%, 24.0%, and 12.1% of China’s total aquatic product exports, with year-on-year growth rates of -2.0%, 31.3%, and -12.4%, respectively. These statistics underline the dynamic nature of China’s aquatic product export market, highlighting areas of both growth and decline within the sector.
Composition of Seafood Product Trade Imports
In December 2023, China’s aquatic product imports were dominated by crustaceans, frozen fish, and mollusks, marking significant contributions to the country’s seafood product trade. The imports for these categories were valued at $798.2 million, $376.5 million, and $149.7 million, respectively, constituting 50.7%, 23.9%, and 9.5% of the total import volume. Despite their substantial shares, these categories experienced year-on-year declines, with growth rates of -11.5%, -30.9%, and -18.5%, showcasing the volatility within the seafood import sector.
Throughout the year, from January to December 2023, the pattern of dominant imports remained consistent, with crustaceans, frozen fish, and mollusks leading. According to the detailed analysis by the Digital Economy Laboratory of the University of International Business and Economics of China, the annual import values for these products reached staggering amounts of $9,564.6 million, $4,795.1 million, and $1,979.7 million, respectively. These figures represented 48.4%, 24.2%, and 10.0% of China’s total aquatic product import volume, illustrating a significant reliance on these seafood categories. Notably, the year-on-year growth rates varied, indicating stability in crustacean imports with a 0.0% change, a slight decline in frozen fish by -6.0%, and an increase in mollusk imports by 8.6%.
In terms of quantity, December 2023 saw China importing 196,000 tons of frozen fish, 95,000 tons of shellfish, and 33,000 tons of mollusks. These imports accounted for 50.2%, 24.3%, and 8.4% of the total volume, respectively. The year witnessed fluctuations in demand, with growth rates of -6.8% for frozen fish, -21.7% for shellfish, and -30.5% for mollusks, reflecting the dynamic nature of the market.
Over the course of 2023, the import volumes for crustaceans, frozen fish, and mollusks were 2.382 million tons, 1.243 million tons, and 553,000 tons, respectively. These figures underscored their significant positions, making up 47.5%, 24.8%, and 11.0% of the overall import volume in China’s seafood product trade. The year showed a positive trend in quantities, with growth rates of 15.5% for crustaceans, 13.6% for frozen fish, and 10.8% for mollusks, highlighting the increasing demand and diversification of China’s seafood imports.
Regional and Distribution Changes in Import and Export Trade in 2023
Seafood export regions and changes
In December 2023, China’s aquatic product exports saw Japan, the United States, and South Korea as their top trading partners, with export values of $227.7 million, $185.7 million, and $178.4 million, respectively. These countries accounted for 12.8%, 10.5%, and 10.1% of China’s total aquatic exports, experiencing varied year-on-year growth rates of -12.9%, -28.9%, and 1.6%. Throughout the entire year of 2023, these three nations remained the leading destinations for Chinese aquatic products, showcasing export totals of $3,325.8 million to Japan, $2,012.1 million to the United States, and $1,735.6 million to South Korea. This represented 16.7%, 10.1%, and 8.7% of China’s aquatic export volume, with respective annual changes of -10.3%, -21.1%, and -5.2%.
In terms of quantity, December 2023 highlighted South Korea, Japan, and the United States as the primary recipients of China’s aquatic exports, receiving 47,000 tons, 36,000 tons, and 33,000 tons, respectively. These figures constituted 13.2%, 10.1%, and 9.4% of the total export volume, marking growth rates of 9.4%, -8.8%, and -19.3%. Over the span of January to December 2023, the cumulative export quantities to these top partners were 499,000 tons to Japan, 405,000 tons to South Korea, and 349,000 tons to the United States, making up 13.5%, 10.9%, and 9.4% of China’s annual aquatic product exports. The year witnessed a mixed trend in growth, with rates of -6.4% in Japan, an increase of 2.4% in South Korea, and a decline of -13.9% in the United States, illustrating the dynamic and fluctuating nature of international seafood trade relationships.
Seafood import regions and changes
In December 2023, China’s aquatic product imports showcased significant trade partnerships, with Russia, Ecuador, and Canada emerging as the top three countries by import value. These nations contributed imports valued at $248.4 million, $243.8 million, and $121.6 million, respectively, making up 15.8%, 15.5%, and 7.7% of China’s total aquatic product imports. The year-on-year growth rates for these imports stood at 3.9% for Russia, saw a substantial decrease of -33.3% for Ecuador, and increased by 7.6% for Canada, reflecting dynamic changes in trade relationships and market demands.
Throughout the year 2023, Ecuador, Russia, and Canada remained pivotal in China’s aquatic import market. The cumulative import values from these countries reached $3,562.3 million, $2,891.7 million, and $1,341.1 million, respectively. These figures accounted for 18.0%, 14.6%, and 6.8% of China’s annual aquatic product imports, with growth rates demonstrating stability for Ecuador at 0.0%, an uptick for Russia at 4.8%, and a notable increase for Canada at 9.3%.
In terms of quantity, December 2023 highlighted Russia, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, and Indonesia as China’s primary sources for aquatic product imports, with volumes of 89,000 tons, 52,000 tons, and 42,000 tons, respectively. These imports represented 22.7%, 13.2%, and 10.7% of the total, showing a mixed trend in year-on-year growth with an increase of 19.7% for Russia, a decline of -17.7% for Sri Lanka, and a slight drop of -8.5% for Ecuador.
Over the full year, from January to December 2023, Russia, Ecuador, and Indonesia stood out as China’s leading import partners in terms of quantity, bringing in 1.276 million tons, 703,000 tons, and 420,000 tons, respectively. These volumes accounted for 25.4%, 14.0%, and 8.4% of China’s total aquatic product imports, with growth rates revealing a significant surge for Russia at 36.1%, a strong increase for Ecuador at 22.3%, and modest growth for Indonesia at 3.5%, underscoring the evolving dynamics and strategic importance of these trading relationships in China’s seafood import sector.
The export destinations and changes of important aquatic products in China in 2023
Changes in export trading partners of aquatic products
In December 2023, China’s aquatic product exports saw significant activity with the United States, Japan, and South Korea emerging as the leading destinations. The exports to these countries were 17.0 thousand tons to the United States, 15.7 thousand tons to Japan, and 13.0 thousand tons to South Korea, making up 13.8%, 12.8%, and 10.6% of China’s total aquatic exports, respectively. The year-on-year growth rates revealed a mixed picture, with a decrease of -14.7% to the United States,and -11.8% to Japan, but a notable increase of 35.1% to South Korea, highlighting the dynamic nature of international seafood trade.
Throughout the entire year of 2023, Japan, the United States, and South Korea retained their positions as China’s top export markets for aquatic products. The cumulative exports were 232.3 thousand tons to Japan, 182.0 thousand tons to the United States, and 104.3 thousand tons to South Korea. These figures represented 16.8%, 13.2%, and 7.5% of China’s total aquatic product exports, with year-on-year growth rates of -5.6% to Japan, -6.9% to the United States, and an increase of 10.8% to South Korea. These statistics underscore the strategic importance of these markets in China’s aquatic product trade and reflect the changing patterns of global seafood consumption.
Changes in export trading partners of frozen fish
In December 2023, China’s frozen fish exports highlighted South Korea, the Philippines, and South Africa as its leading destinations, with shipments totaling 12.2 thousand tons, 12.1 thousand tons, and 7.2 thousand tons, respectively. These figures represented significant shares of China’s overall frozen fish trade, accounting for 12.3%, 12.2%, and 7.2% of the total exports in this category. The year-on-year growth rates for these exports were notably diverse, showing a robust increase of 33.2% to South Korea, a slight decline of -1.1% to the Philippines, and a staggering surge of 4790.2% to South Africa, underscoring the dynamic and volatile nature of global seafood trade.
Throughout the year 2023, the Philippines, South Korea, and Indonesia emerged as China’s top trading partners for frozen fish exports. The total exports to these countries were 111.9 thousand tons to the Philippines, 101.0 thousand tons to South Korea, and 100.9 thousand tons to Indonesia. These contributions accounted for 12.6%, 11.4%, and 11.3% of China’s total frozen fish exports, respectively. The year-on-year growth rates indicated subtle shifts in demand, with a minor decrease of -0.9% to the Philippines, an increase of 4.6% to South Korea, and a significant rise of 33.5% to Indonesia, reflecting the evolving preferences and demands within the international fish market.
Changes in export trading partners of Mollusks
In December 2023, China’s mollusk exports saw South Korea, Japan, and the United States as its primary markets, with significant shipments totaling 12.7 thousand tons, 5.5 thousand tons, and 2.6 thousand tons, respectively. These exports represented a major share of the mollusk sector, making up 29.3%, 12.7%, and 6.1% of China’s total mollusk export volume. The year-on-year growth rates for these markets were diverse, with a notable increase of 14.3% to South Korea, while Japan and the United States experienced declines of -11.8% and -13.5%, respectively, highlighting the fluctuating demand across different regions.
Throughout the entire year of 2023, South Korea, Japan, and the United States maintained their status as the top three destinations for Chinese mollusk exports. The annual shipments to these countries were 108.2 thousand tons to South Korea, 63.9 thousand tons to Japan, and 34.3 thousand tons to the United States, accounting for 24.2%, 14.3%, and 7.7% of China’s total mollusk exports, respectively. The year-on-year growth rates showed a downward trend, with decreases of -3.1% to South Korea, -12.5% to Japan, and -17.8% to the United States, reflecting the challenges and changing preferences in the global mollusk market.
Changes in export trading partners of Crustaceans
In December 2023, South Korea, Japan, and Spain emerged as the leading destinations for Chinese crustacean exports, receiving 1.9 thousand tons, 1.4 thousand tons, and 1.1 thousand tons, respectively. These figures represent the core of the crustacean market, contributing to 23.3%, 17.3%, and 13.7% of China’s total crustacean export volume. Year-on-year growth rates indicated a mixed scenario, with a slight decrease of -4.8% and -4.4% for exports to South Korea and Japan, contrasted by a significant increase of 27.8% to Spain, showcasing the dynamic nature of international seafood trade preferences.
Throughout the year of 2023, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, China, stood as the top three export markets for Chinese crustaceans, with annual shipments totaling 19.5 thousand tons, 17.0 thousand tons, and 11.1 thousand tons, respectively. These exports accounted for a substantial portion of the trade, making up 22.3%, 19.4%, and 12.7% of China’s total crustacean exports. The year-on-year growth rates present a nuanced view of the market dynamics, with a marginal growth of 0.3% for South Korea, a slight decline of -2.9% for Japan, and a notable increase of 12.8% for exports to Hong Kong, China. These trends underline the evolving demand patterns in the global crustacean market.
Changes in export trading partners of live fish
In December 2023, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Vietnam were the leading destinations for China’s live fish exports, with volumes reaching 3.717 thousand tons, 1.773 thousand tons, and 1.637 thousand tons, respectively. These exports constituted a significant portion of the live fish trade, representing 43.1%, 20.6%, and 19.0% of the total export volume. Year-on-year growth rates varied, with a notable decrease of -25.5% for exports to Hong Kong, a marginal increase of 0.1% to South Korea, and a growth of 4.2% to Vietnam, reflecting the fluctuating demand across these key markets.
Throughout the entire year of 2023, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Vietnam maintained their positions as the top importers of Chinese live fish, with annual exports amounting to 45.5 thousand tons, 25.1 thousand tons, and 15.5 thousand tons, respectively. These figures accounted for a dominant share of China’s live fish export market, capturing 44.3%, 24.5%, and 15.1% of the total trade. The year-on-year growth rates presented a mixed picture, with a decline of -9.9% for exports to Hong Kong, an increase of 8.3% to South Korea, and a significant rise of 24.3% to Vietnam, showcasing the dynamic and evolving nature of the international demand for Chinese live fish.
Changes in export trading partners of Fresh & Cold fish
In December 2023, China’s fresh and cold fish exports saw Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, China, and Vietnam as its principal trading partners. These markets were pivotal, with exports accounting for 33.0%, 31.5%, and 20.4% of the total export volume in this category. The year-on-year growth rates for each destination revealed varying trends, with a significant decrease of -31.5% to Hong Kong, China, and moderate increases of 3.9% and 3.0% to Taiwan, China, and Vietnam, respectively, indicating shifting dynamics in the fresh and cold fish trade.
Throughout the year, from January to December 2023, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, China, and Vietnam remained the top three export destinations for China’s fresh and cold fish. The total exports to these regions were 18.832 tons, 7,994 tons, and 6,534 tons, respectively, dominating the trade with shares of 50.0%, 21.2%, and 17.3%. The annual growth rates exhibited a general downtrend, with declines of -16.9% for Hong Kong, China, -19.3% for Taiwan, China, and -6.2% for Vietnam, reflecting the challenges and changing preferences in the global market for fresh and cold fish exports from China.
Changes in export trading partners of Algae products
In December 2023, Japan, Taiwan, China, and the United States emerged as the top three export destinations for China’s algae, with shipments totaling 1.2 thousand tons, 1.0 thousand tons, and 0.6 thousand tons, respectively. These exports accounted for 21.6%, 17.5%, and 10.8% of China’s total algae trade volume. The year-on-year growth rates presented a mixed picture, with a decline of -11.3% for exports to Japan, a notable increase of 7.8% to Taiwan, China, and a significant rise of 20.9% to the United States, reflecting the diverse trends in the global algae market.
Over the course of 2023, Japan, Taiwan, China, and the United States consistently stood as the leading importers of Chinese algae, with annual exports reaching 22.4 thousand tons, 10.6 thousand tons, and 6.8 thousand tons, respectively. These figures represented significant shares of China’s algae exports, accounting for 31.3%, 14.8%, and 9.5% of the total export volume. The year witnessed varying growth rates, with a slight increase of 3.0% in exports to Japan, a decrease of -9.9% to Taiwan, China, and a robust growth of 14.6% to the United States, underscoring the dynamic nature of international demand for Chinese algae products.
Changes in export trading partners of Pickled smoked fish
In December 2023, China identified Brazil, South Korea, and the United States as its leading export destinations for pickled and smoked fish, marking significant contributions to its trade. Exports to these countries reached 1.2 thousand tons to Brazil, 0.7 thousand tons to South Korea, and another 0.7 thousand tons to the United States, representing 23.5%, 13.9%, and 12.7% of the total export volume in this category. The year-on-year growth rates for these exports showed an increase of 12.2% to Brazil and 14.3% to South Korea, while exports to the United States slightly decreased by -0.9%, illustrating the varied market dynamics across these regions.
Throughout the year, from January to December 2023, Japan, South Korea, and Portugal emerged as the principal trading partners for China’s smoked fish exports. The annual export volumes were 9.9 thousand tons to Japan, 8.2 thousand tons to South Korea, and 8.1 thousand tons to Portugal. These figures accounted for 18.6%, 15.4%, and 15.2% of the total exports in the pickled and smoked fish sector, respectively. The year-on-year growth rates revealed a healthy demand, with an increase of 9.3% for exports to Japan and 10.1% to South Korea, though exports to Portugal experienced a decline of -7.7%, reflecting the shifting tastes and preferences within the international seafood market.
The import destinations and changes of important aquatic products in China in 2023
Changes in import trading partners of Crustaceans
In December 2023, Ecuador, India, and Canada were China’s leading import sources for crustaceans, with substantial volumes of 51,000 tons, 10,000 tons, and 6,000 tons, respectively. These imports constituted significant shares of China’s crustacean market, accounting for 54.0%, 10.4%, and 6.3% of the total import volume. The year-on-year growth rates, however, indicated a decline, with imports from Ecuador decreasing by -17.9%, India by -28.7%, and Canada by -21.1%, reflecting the challenges in the crustacean trade sector.
Throughout the entire year of 2023, Ecuador, India, and Canada remained the top suppliers of crustaceans to China, with impressive import totals of 698,000 tons from Ecuador, 146,000 tons from India, and 73,000 tons from Canada. These figures represented a dominant portion of China’s crustacean imports, making up 56.1%, 11.7%, and 5.9% of the total trade volume, respectively. The year saw positive growth trends, with imports from Ecuador rising by 23.6%, India by 3.7%, and Canada by 13.1%, showcasing the dynamic shifts and the increasing demand within China’s crustacean import market.
Changes in import trading partners of frozen fish
In December 2023, Russia, India, and Norway emerged as China’s primary sources for frozen fish imports, with volumes reaching 81,000 tons, 24,000 tons, and 17,000 tons, respectively. These imports represented a significant portion of China’s frozen fish market, accounting for 41.2%, 12.5%, and 8.8% of the total imports. The year-on-year growth rates highlighted varying trends, with a robust increase of 16.8% for imports from Russia, while India and Norway experienced declines of -14.7% and -17.4%, respectively, reflecting the changing dynamics in the global frozen fish trade.
Throughout the year of 2023, Russia, the United States, and India were identified as the top three import trading partners for China in the frozen fish sector. The annual imports totaled 1.198 million tons from Russia, 221,000 tons from the United States, and 166,000 tons from India, dominating the import market with shares of 50.3%, 9.3%, and 7.0%, respectively. The year witnessed significant growth rates, with imports from Russia surging by 35.2%, the United States by 3.3%, and India by an impressive 29.6%, indicating a strong and increasing demand for frozen fish within China’s expansive seafood market.
Changes in import trading partners of Mollusks
In December 2023, Indonesia, the United States, and India emerged as the leading import trading partners for Chinese mollusks, delivering 11,000 tons, 3,000 tons, and 3,000 tons, respectively. These figures represented substantial shares of China’s mollusk import market, accounting for 32.3%, 9.9%, and 8.3%. The year-on-year growth rates, however, indicated a downward trend, with imports from Indonesia declining by -19.7%, the United States by -53.8%, and India by -38.8%, highlighting the fluctuating nature of global mollusk trade dynamics.
Throughout the entire year of 2023, Peru, India, and Indonesia stood out as the principal import sources for Chinese mollusks, with Japan also making a significant contribution. The total imports amounted to 116,000 tons from Peru, 90,000 tons from India, and 54,000 tons from Indonesia, claiming 20.9%, 16.2%, and 9.7% of China’s mollusk imports, respectively. The annual growth rates presented a mixed picture, with a staggering increase of 690.4% for imports from Peru, a slight decrease of -0.9% from India, and a notable decline of -48.7% from Indonesia, reflecting the diverse and dynamic shifts within the mollusk import sector in China.
Changes in import trading partners of Fresh & Cold fish
In December 2023, China’s imports of fresh and cold fish were predominantly from Norway, Australia, and Taiwan, with volumes reaching 3,000 tons, 2,200 tons, and 1,600 tons, respectively. These imports represented a significant portion of the market, accounting for 39.3%, 25.1%, and 17.7% of China’s total fresh and cold fish trade volume. The year-on-year growth rates were remarkable, showing a surge of 89.3% for imports from Norway, 38.2% from Australia, and an astounding 1,024.4% from Taiwan, highlighting the dynamic and growing demand for fresh and cold fish in China.
Throughout the year of 2023, Norway, Chile, and Australia emerged as the leading suppliers of fresh and cold fish to China, with total imports of 39,700 tons, 17,300 tons, and 14,300 tons, respectively. These figures accounted for substantial shares of the trade, making up 43.4%, 18.9%, and 15.6% of the total import volume. The annual growth rates reflected a significant increase in demand, with imports from Norway rising by 67.8%, Chile by 158.8%, and Australia by 23.5%, indicating the strategic importance of these countries in China’s fresh and cold fish import market.
Changes in import trading partners of live fish
In December 2023, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Myanmar stood out as China’s primary import sources for live fish, with significant imports totaling 10,000 tons, 0.05 tons, and 0.0400 tons, respectively. These contributions represented a major share of China’s live fish import market, accounting for 54.8%, 21.4%, and 16.6%. The year-on-year growth rates highlighted a dynamic market, with an impressive increase of 88.9% from the Philippines, a remarkable 121.8% from Bangladesh, and a slight decrease of -13.6% from Myanmar, showcasing the fluctuating demands and trends in the live fish trade.
Throughout the entirety of 2023, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Bangladesh were identified as the leading suppliers of live fish to China, with annual imports reaching 13,000 tons, 11,000 tons, and 6,000 tons, respectively. These figures dominated the live fish import sector, making up 41.7%, 34.8%, and 19.1% of the total trade imports. The year witnessed varied growth trends, with Myanmar seeing a modest increase of 7.1%, the Philippines experiencing a significant rise of 31.7%, and Bangladesh showing a substantial growth of 229.3%, reflecting the evolving and expanding nature of China’s live fish import market.
Changes in import trading partners of Aquatic products
In December 2023, China’s aquatic product imports were predominantly from Pakistan, Thailand, and Peru, with volumes reaching 2,100 tons, 750 tons, and 700 tons, respectively. These imports made up significant portions of the market, accounting for 37.8%, 13.6%, and 12.6% of the total aquatic product import volume. The year-on-year growth rates varied, showing an increase of 17.0% for imports from Pakistan, a decrease of -5.0% from Thailand, and a significant drop of -42.0% from Peru, indicating fluctuating trends in international aquatic product trade dynamics.
Throughout the year of 2023, Peru, Pakistan, and Thailand emerged as the leading suppliers of aquatic products to China, with total imports amounting to 387,400 tons, 99,600 tons, and 86,400 tons, respectively. These contributions represented 46.7%, 12.0%, and 10.4% of China’s overall imports in the aquatic sector, showcasing the significant role these countries play in meeting China’s seafood demand. The year-on-year growth rates revealed dramatic changes, with a remarkable increase of 299.9% for imports from Peru, a decrease of -26.9% from Pakistan, and a moderate growth of 6.4% from Thailand, reflecting the dynamic nature of global seafood markets and their impact on China’s import strategy.
Changes in import trading partners of Algae products
In December 2023, Indonesia, Chile, and Peru were identified as China’s leading import and trade partners for algae, delivering 20,300 tons, 4,800 tons, and 2,900 tons, respectively. These imports constituted a substantial share of the algae market, representing 67.3%, 15.9%, and 9.5% of the total import volume. The year-on-year growth rates showcased varying trends, with a modest increase of 9.2% for imports from Indonesia, 6.1% from Chile, and a decrease of -25.4% from Peru, indicating the fluctuating dynamics within the global algae trade.
Throughout the year of 2023, Indonesia, Chile, and Peru remained the top import trading partners for Chinese algae, with annual imports totaling 217,000 tons, 46,000 tons, and 38,000 tons, respectively. These figures accounted for significant portions of the total algae import volume, making up 63.1%, 13.2%, and 11.0%. The year witnessed diverse growth rates, with a positive increase of 10.9% from Indonesia, while both Chile and Peru experienced decreases of -18.7% and -18.9%, respectively, reflecting the evolving preferences and challenges in sourcing algae for China’s market needs.
Changes in import trading partners of Pickled smoked fish
In December 2023, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia emerged as China’s leading sources for imports of pickled and smoked fish, bringing in 3,000 tons, 0.05 tons, and 0.3 million tons, respectively. These figures represented a significant share of the market, with Vietnam accounting for 74.5% of the total import volume, followed by Myanmar and Indonesia with 13.3% and 6.9%. The year-on-year growth rates showed a marked decrease of -48.2% for imports from Vietnam but an impressive increase for Myanmar and Indonesia, at 203.1% and 82.2%, respectively, highlighting the dynamic shifts in China’s preferences for imported pickled and smoked fish.
Throughout the entire year of 2023, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Norway stood out as the primary import trading partners for China’s smoked fish, with total imports of 62,000 tons, 3,000 tons, and 3,000 tons. These contributions dominated the trade, representing 85.6%, 3.9%, and 3.8% of the overall import volume. The annual growth rates indicated a challenging year, with a reduction of -14.2% for imports from Vietnam, but a notable surge of 260.3% for Myanmar, and a decline of -13.0% for Norway, reflecting the complex and evolving nature of global trade in pickled and smoked fish.
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