News - page 15

The Republic of Belarus, which is one of three members of the Customs Union along with Russia and Kazakhstan and has a free trade zone with most of CIS states, has announced a list of 39 special importers who will enjoy the exclusive right to import seafood to the republic in 2012, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/

A new version of the Administrative Regulations which cancels system of obligatory confirmation of contracts with foreign partners for seafood import shipments has come into effect as of 19 December 2011, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/ with reference to Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor).

Looking at Authorities decisions both Russian and American catch of Alaska pollock will stay reasonably high next year. It can guarantee stability to markets and possibly even supply increase, but it is not clear whether prices could meet producers' requests as economic situation is not too good in Europe, Japan, and USA, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/ with reference to Russian, American and Japanese sources.

In October 2011 shipments of frozen pollock roe and salmon roe from Russia to main foreign markets were fairly high as reported by Russian exporters. Besides, shipments of frozen salmon and frozen crab were brisk, just like shipments of live crab to Japan (to say nothing of a very serious price rise), according to the overview prepared by analysts of http://www.megafishnet.com/ based on Japanese, Russian and American sources.

In mid-December 2011 Russia's Ministry of Health and Social Development cancelled sanitary regulations limiting content of glaze in frozen seafood in a drive towards harmonization of Russian requirements to seafood products and single standards of the Customs Union (Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan). The nation's fishery industry immediately reacted to the Ministry's order with criticism, reports www.megafishnet.com.

The Russian Union of Producers and Entrepreneurs organized hearings on influence of WTO membership on the agricultural complex of Russia which is now in the process of joining the World Trade Organisation, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/

Sergey Gudkov, CEO of Russia's Fish Union, announced a concept for national electronic system to trace seafood origin and transportation. Launch of such system provides for development of rules defining the order for entering the information on seafood origin and transportation which would form the rights and charges of the federal authorities in the sphere of surveillance and control of fish quality and safety, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/

November export pattern is closer to winter standards. There are fewer direct shipments to Japan - just leftovers of salmon roes, the last lots of sea urchin and prawns. Shipments of pink salmon and Pollock have also continued with Russian Pollock exports showing the most interesting developments, reports www.megafishnet.com.

As per the second week of November 2011 APO fishery has been finished, and substantial part of quota has been left in the water. As Japanese and American experts thought, substantial enough to make necessity of the TAC cut clear to at least part of those who make decision in TAC for 2012-2013. Actually, it turned out not THAT effective. The plan team has revised ABC recommendation up from 1,088 th. MT to 1,220. Of course, the final TAC will be set by the Council in December, but this is the first time ever they set a higher ABC level compared to science recommendation, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/ with reference to Russian, American and Japanese sources.

Experts say that now there are two key trends on the Russian fish market, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/

Big Russian importers of Norwegian salmon are trying to persuade their suppliers to switch over to exclusive five-year contracts. Other market insiders say that such position could result into a smaller number of market players, lower competition and higher prices, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/

Representatives from Russia's Federal Fisheries Agency, Ministry of Transport, Federal Customs Service and Federal State Unitary Enterprise Atomflot (providing technological service and maintenance of nuclear-powered icebreakers and special fleet) have recently met to discuss prospects for seafood shipments via the Northern Sea Route in 2012, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/

According to the Vietnamese Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam's export of pangasius to international markets has been on a rise this year, though exporters have been facing a lack of raw fish and trends of export shipments to some countries, Russia in particular, have been changing in the opposite direction, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/

It is common knowledge now that US APO quota has not been taken - the first time in many years. This is an important fact of many consequences. We could say a lot about correct quota setting, fishery sustainability, etc. but here we mention just raw material shortage this year, a Russian Pollock specialist told http://www.megafishnet.com/

According to the latest forecast of Marine Harvest (the world's leading seafood company and largest producer of farmed salmon, with presence in 21 countries and about 5 000 permanent employees worldwide), strong increase in global supply of salmon will continue for the rest of 2011 and in 2012.

Russia's Federal Customs Service together with Association of Fish Producers and Traders have developed a Green corridor regime for customs clearance and control of seafood products imported to the country, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/

The Russian Government has proposed to offer the nation's fish exporters VAT preferences, including simpler routine for applying for zero VATs for the fishermen bringing seafood to home port for clearance and further export to the international markets, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/

Export situation in October has shown a number of developments. This month export from Russian Far East traditionally consists of Alaska pollock and wild salmons. Cod, halibut and others are minor items in tonnage, reports www.megafishnet.com.

The recent auction sale of transferrable right of quota share is to give the beginning to civilized fishing quota market in Russia, according to Head of Legal department FFA (Federal Fisheries Agency) Eugene Kats, reports www.megafishnet.com.

Next year prospects of both Russian pollock fishery and Alaska fishery are dubious because of current fishing situation in the Bering Sea. It is already clear that season B will finish before quota taking, and rest will be large. Experts estimate that TAC will be **** Mt, according to the overview prepared by analysts of www.megafishnet.com based on Japanese, Russian and American sources as per 12 October 2011.