According to the monitoring of the price, main aquatic products’ volume weighted average price in May was 47.17 yuan/kg, 2.52% more than that in last month, among which main chilled fresh seawater fishes’ average price was 44.83 yuan/kg, 2.59% more than that in last month; main frozen seawater fishes’ average price 39.89 yuan/kg, 1.22% more; main live fresh fishes’ average price 56.79 yuan/kg, 3.38% more.
Market Trading Characteristics
Chilled fresh aquatic product market: In May, main economic species like yellow croaker, hairtail, butterfish, cuttlefish, Chinese herring and so on were difficult to find on the market. If they were available on the market, the origin generally came from South China Sea or foreign countries. Although China has taken measures to protect fishery resources, implementing fishing ban at particular time, the resources are limited eventually. With the sharp drop of aquatic resources in the East China Sea, it would be more difficult to eat the original yellow croaker, hairtail, butterfish.
Owing to the scare species available on market, price of yellow croaker produced in Ningde, Fujian jumped outstandingly. It’s already up to 30-31 yuan for the 500g size yellow croaker, increasing 20% compared with that in last period.
Frozen aquatic product trading: With the decrease of chilled fresh product, frozen aquatic product gradually took the leading role in the market with a small rise in price.
Live fresh aquatic product trading: Since middle and end of April, fresh water fish price began its journey to go up, especially the crucian whose price was already up to 14 yuan/500g on 31st May. According to industry insiders, the growing pork price forced many consumers to shift their choice into fresh water fish, which boosted the fish price in the end. The main reasons for the increase of all kinds of fresh water fish were: most of the ponds went into clearance period. Besides, the heavy rains in Southern China also caused the low quantity of available fish on market. The supply couldn’t meet the demand of market with a big gap; the fish all went into reproducing and breeding period at present while May was normally the fish shortage period. To ensure an appropriate environment for the growth and reproduce of the fish, the market quantity would drop; The gap between supply and demand expanded because of the rising market demand.
In recent years, turbot fish’s rice dropped from 40 yuan/500g to 15-20 yuan/500g. During 2013-2014, it’s price was generally between 18yuan and 25 yuan. The continuous down of the price was mainly owing to: high-end consumption market shrank dramatically because of the new rules restricting unconfined consumption by government officials implemented in 2013; production increased about 30% in 2013 owing to the stimulus of high fish price in 2012. In may, except for river eel, the price of mullet, turbot, snakehead, topmouth culter, channel catfish, perch and Mandarin fish increased 22.22%、11.11%、14.28%、5.88%、9.09%、32% and 17.5% respectively. Special aquatic bullfrog also went up 21.42%.
Comprehensive species (including shellfish) market trading: In May, shellfish price was basically stable because the weather became hotter, supply was sufficient and sales were also at a high level.
Jellyfish sellers purchase the first batch of product in May, which was the middle and low-end product. The purchasing price was almost same as that in last year. They have to wait until August or September to purchase first-class products.
Aquatic Product Trading Trend in May
Chinese coastal regions enter into summer fishing moratorium in succession from June. During the fishing suspension, the price of chilled seafood may rise a little because of limited market stock. Frozen product and live fish will become the leading trading category on market. Summer is already on the way. There is still downside potential for the crustacean product and live fresh fishes.
