Scottish salmon exports hit by China virus outbreak
Scottish salmon farmers who supply China have begun seeking alternative outlets for their fish as a result of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
British Airways has suspended all direct flights to and from mainland China because of the virus, which emerged in the city of Wuhan and has caused more than 130 deaths.
The virus has spread across China and to at least 16 other countries, according to a report by the BBC. By the end of yesterday there were 5,974 confirmed cases in China and another 9,239 suspected cases.
Very important market
A spokesperson for the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) said: “We are obviously monitoring the situation very closely: China is a very important market for us.
“The early indications are that the demand for imports of salmon has slowed as a result of the ongoing health issues in the country, particularly in the restaurant and hotel trade.
“As a result, the small number of our member companies who are affected are looking for other markets for fish which would have been destined for China, particularly in the US and around Europe.
“But the first priority for everybody has to be the health and wellbeing of the people of China and we hope this crisis eases as soon as possible.”
Prices down
Salmon prices dropped sharply in Norway at the weekend, with the coronavirus outbreak largely to blame.
Chilean salmon producers have also reported that their sales in China, their fifth most important destination market, are down.
Eduardo Goycoolea is chief executive of New World Currents, the joint marketing venture for China formed by Chilean producers Blumar, Salmones Camanchaca, Marine Farm and Yadran.
He told Fish Farming Expert’s Chilean sister site, Salmon Expert: “This situation has affected us a lot, with a high number of cancellations of shipments. And what is even more unfortunate is that it is happening in the middle of the New Year holiday in China. This Asian market is stopped for our salmon and we evaluate its development daily.”
Fernando Pérez, commercial manager of Ventisqueros, said the coronavirus “has generated a significant decrease in our sales to China, compared to the previous weeks. This is because our customers lowered their purchase volumes projecting a much smaller and nil demand in some cases”.
