It is estimated that the total global seafood consumption is 144 million tons per year. China is the largest seafood consumer, accounting for 45% of the global total with 65 million tons, followed by the European Union (13 million tons), Japan (7.4 million tons), United States (7.1 million tons) and India (4.8 million tons). In 2019, China’s total seafood production reaches more than 70 million tons, of which imported seafood will reach about 4.5 million tons.
Of the 65 million tons of seafood consumed annually in China, only 15 million tons are fishery products, and the remaining 50 million tons are from aquaculture farms. Thanks to seafood farming, ordinary Chinese people can buy cheap seafood and eat seafood every day.
The volume of Chinese seafood imports has grown rapidly in recent years. In addition to developing free trade cooperation with many countries, China has continuously lowered import tariffs since 2015. Free trade in the seafood industry gradually involves many countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, ASEAN, Iceland and other countries with rich marine resources.
The fishery product import adjustment, which started in January 2019, involves many high-value fish products. Australian Rock Lobster, Tuna and even South Australian Bluefin Tuna and Abalone.
In addition, products such as sablefish and shrimp are also exempt from customs duties.
