Dutch federation of Fish Wholesalers and Processors

1
Overview Dutch Fish Industry

• Dutch federation of Fish Wholesalers and
  Processors
• Guus Pastoor, President

2
Figures certain species

• Alaska pollock imports EU 580.000 tons
• EU imports of cod around 950.000 tons
• Hake imports 550.000 tons
• Hoki imports 55.000 tons

Farmed Atlantic Salmon production 1.000.000
tons More than half of that production is meant
for EU market
3

• In 2003 9,7 million tons of fish available in
  EU market through landings and imports
• Per capita consumption in EU 26,3 kg
• EU relies on third country imports for all
  fishery products to a level of 74. For white
  fish this level is up to 90
• China and some South East asian countries have
  become a major source for semi processed fishery
  products
• Main reasons
• High processing quality combined with competitive
  prices
• Lower Landings EU of certain species due to catch
  restrictions
• Demand for fish products in EU at prices
  competing with other foodstuffs

4

• Policy dilemma often percieved in EU
• Import duties for raw materials or semi processed
  products
• Recognition of supply implications to the
  processing industry of catch restrictions led to
  some amendments in Council Regulation 2803/2000
  (tariff contingenties). These were not major
  liberalizations, but small steps in the right
  direction
• A key argument for not relaxing tariff
  impositions on certain whitefish species is found
  in the lower than anticipated market prices for a
  number of EU landed fish

5

• The lower landings in the EU of some species can
  erode market interest because of unreliable
  supply and consumer reactions
• This decline has to be halted to ensure future
  primary processing capacity in the EU. Market-
  and productdevelopment together with image
  campaigns may be instruments for change
• Protective measures EU against imported salmon
  through minimum prices and import duties are step
  backwards.

6
Imports into Netherlands over the last year

• 2003 670.000 tons
• 2002 648.000 tons
• 2001 624.000 tons
• 506.000 tons
• Most of these imports are frozen products coming
  in through seaports

7
Exports over the same periode 2003 856.000
ton 2002 747.000 tons 2001 805.000
tons 1997 750.000 tons Most exports are
brought into other EU countries by truck
8
Wich way are we heading?

• WTO
• Veterinary Policy EU
• EU 25
• World Fish stocks and aquaculture production
• Estimates for world consumption of fish in 2020
  range from 106 million tons (lowest estimate) to
  140 million tons
• The world production in 2020 may vary from 108
  to 144 million tons.
• Technical progress in aquaculture will be of
  importance. Between lower and upper estimates lie
  some 25 million tons of production
• Sustainability discussion
• Common Fisheries Policy EU

9
Common Fisheries Policy (CPF) EU

• Biological advice for 2005
• Regional Advisory Council Northsea
• Plaice recovery plan
• Multi-annual approach in policy needed
• Moving away from academic modelling and getting
  down to basics
• Responsibility and management more at level of
  stakeholders and less in Brussels