Mixed 2006 trends for European frozen hake fillet imports
Frozen fillet import trends were mixed in key European hake markets during 2006 with volumes lower compared to 2005 in both Spain and France but up significantly in Italy. German imports were also showing an increase if an exceptional once-off import figure regarding the Russian Federation during 2005 is excluded. Initial indications for 2007 point to continued weaknesses notably in relation to some South American supplies.

Namibia leading supplier to Spain despite volume drop

Total Spanish frozen hake fillet imports fell by 7% in 2005 following a decline in volumes from several leading suppliers including Namibia and Argentina. Despite a strong recovery in imports from Argentina during 2006, overall imports fell again last year although the decrease was smaller than in the previous year at just 2%. Although import values fell 6% during 2005, values increased last year, increasing by 14% to €125 million. This increase suggests a rise in average fillet prices during 2006.

The overall volume decline in Spanish imports last year was largely due to a fall in volumes from Namibia, the largest supplier to Spain. Supplies of Namibian fillets, adversely affected by quota restrictions in recent years, fell 18% to 26 000 tonnes, a significantly larger drop than in 2005 when volumes fell by 4%.

Argentina increases import share in German market

German frozen hake fillet imports also declined last year, dropping 15% on 2005 to 24 400 tonnes. Last year’s decline, however, was essentially the result of a once-off jump in imports from the Russian Federation during 2005 which was not repeated during 2006. Leaving aside this exceptional item, German hake imports from most supplying countries increased in 2006.

As in Spain, imports from Argentina, the leading supplier to Germany, were higher in 2006, increasing by 19% to almost 7 000 tonnes. This increase confirms an upward trend in Argentinean supplies to the German market which has been evident since 2003, a year which saw sales from Peru, the then leading supplier to Germany, collapse as a result of fishing restrictions. German imports were also up last year from the USA, the second supplier which, like Argentina, has seen exports to Germany increase steadily since 2003.

Argentina increases import share in German market
German frozen hake fillet imports also declined last year, dropping 15% on 2005 to 24 400 tonnes. Last year’s decline, however, was essentially the result of a once-off jump in imports from the Russian Federation during 2005 which was not repeated during 2006. Leaving aside this exceptional item, German hake imports from most supplying countries increased in 2006.

As in Spain, imports from Argentina, the leading supplier to Germany, were higher in 2006, increasing by 19% to almost 7 000 tonnes. This increase confirms an upward trend in Argentinean supplies to the German market which has been evident since 2003, a year which saw sales from Peru, the then leading supplier to Germany, collapse as a result of fishing restrictions. German imports were also up last year from the USA, the second supplier which, like Argentina, has seen exports to Germany increase steadily since 2003.

Argentina and Uruguay boost sales to Italy

Italian imports were an exception to the negative import trend among leading European hake markets last year. Overall imports (whole, h&g, fillets) have fluctuated between 30 and 40 000 tonnes in recent years and total volumes increased by 11% to almost 37 000 tonnes last year thanks to a jump in fillet imports, which increased by 22% to just over 20 000 tonnes. Italian processors and distributors purchased more fillets last year despite an apparent upward price trend: import unit values for frozen fillets increased by 10%, to €3.07/kg, over the average 2005 level.

Fillet imports were boosted by a jump in sales from Argentina and Uruguay and to a lesser extent from Spain. Argentina confirmed its position as the number one hake fillet supplier to Italy with volumes up 27% to 11 500 tonnes. Uruguay remains in second position following a 30% increase to over 5 000 tonnes. Both countries dominate Italian imports, accounting for over 80% of total volumes.

Lower sales of Cape hake to French market

In line with the Spanish trend, a drop in Cape hake sales to France contributed to a decline in French fillet imports last year. Overall volumes, as noted earlier, fell 14% to 12 500 tonnes with imports from South Africa down 40% while volumes from Namibia were back 15% compared to 2005. Imports from Argentina, the main supplying country, and Uruguay were stable following a drop in 2005.

By Gerry O’Sullivan (GLOBEFISH)
© FAO GLOBEFISH 2006