The organisation for the promotion of responsible tuna fisheries (OPRT) held its second seminar in Tokyo on in November 2013, reporting the results of a study mission dispatched to China last August.
Professor Lou Xiabo of the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, who also participated in the study mission, reported that the current demand of the sashimi-grade tuna market is about 12 thousand tonnes. This includes about three thousand tonnes of high quality tunas such as southern bluefin tuna – with overall demand maintained at a plateaued level over recent years.
According to Professor Xiabo, reasons for stagnating demand (rather than an expected increase) include competition with salmon (Chinese consumers reportedly prefer salmon due to price and taste), less promotional advertising, the lack of developed cold distribution chains for fresh tuna, and the prohibition of processing tuna via CO gas.
Professor Xiabo also reported that China's tuna fishing industry is suffering from an increase of costs across the board (labour, fuel and bait), as well as a decrease in income due to decreasing catch sizes, low fish prices and an unfavourable exchange rate.
Source: OPRT
