Octopus - November 2011
During the first half of 2011 octopus supplies in general were down compared with the same period last year, especially from Morocco. Landings of octopus have been disappointing in Spain were fell by over 40%, pushing prices up. In Galicia prices increased by as much as 50% and it’s likely that this trend continues. Italian imports remained stable but imports from Morocco dropped by over 50% when compared with 2010. Imports of octopus from Tunisia, Mexico and some other countries increased considerably filling the gap left by Moroccan octopus in the Italian market. A price increase in Europe is expected as prices had been low, although for some sizes there have been price increases in recent months.
In Japan, imports of octopus were down by 14% during the same period compared with the 2010 figures, being Mauritania the country that had a higher share of exports to Japan; again Moroccan exports fell sharply. Octopus whole sale prices in Japan have fluctuated between USD 12 and USD 14 per kg for larger sizes and between USD 9 and USD 11 for smaller sizes.
Squid: the good fishing season in South America has been reflected in strong export figures.
On the squid market, the supply situation is totally opposite to the octopus situation. In Argentina, during the season which ended the 26th of August, landings were around a 60% higher when compared with the same period in 2010. This situation was also reflected in exports. Japan imports increased by 23% more when compared with last year imports for the same period. China was the country that exported more squid to Japan, with an increase of 23.5%.
US imports were slightly down because of good domestic supplies reducing their need of imports. Italy increased its squid imports by 8% while Spain imports increased only by 1.4%. Argentinean exports to Spain started again after a total absence last year.
Cuttlefish prices have been steadily rising since 2007 and this trend is likely to continue in the near future. Supplies appear to be satisfactory to fit market demand at the moment.
Indian cuttlefish exports have been reported to be 20% higher and with higher prices. Italian imports have increased slightly in 2011 and imports into Spain are expected to be stable at around 55 000 tonnes for the whole year. On the other hand, Japan imports have dropped in 2011 and during the first six months declined by 22.5%.
Full version of the report on the Globefish Highlights-31/10/2011
