European Commission Directorate-General for Trade

Products

Shrimps

Ten main countries from which the EU imported frozen shrimps in 2009

Ten main countries from which the EU imported frozen shrimps in 2009

Country	Share of imports (%)
Ecuador	14
India	13
Argentina	12
Bangladesh	9
Thailand	7
China	6
Greenland	4
Indonesia	4
Vietnam	2
Madagascar	2

Frozen shrimps and prawns accounted in 2009 for 25% of all EU imports of fish and fishery products. The graph illustrates the 10 main countries from which the EU imported frozen shrimps in 2007 - Ecuador accounts for 14%, India for 13%, closely followed by Argentina (12%). Frozen shrimps of the genus Penaeus falling under CN code 0306 1350 are the largest commodity.

EU import regime

The EU MFN duty applied to this product is 12%. However, the EU maintains a relatively high MFN duty (20%) for cooked and peeled shrimp (sub chapter 1605), because of the existence of a Community industry for these products (mainly in Denmark). However, in order to satisfy the needs of the processing industry for supplies of raw material, the Community opened in 2004 a reduced tariff rate quota of 7,000 tonnes at 6% for cooked and peeled shrimp as part of a series of autonomous tariff quotas (Council Regulation (EC) No 379/2004). This quota was increase to 20,000 tonnes at 6% duty for the period 2007-2009 (Regulation (EC) No 824/2007). The shrimp quota is coupled with the proviso that the imported product must be destined for processing (the so-called "end-use requirement"). It is open on an erga omnes basis.

Tuna

Canned tuna accounted in 2009 for almost 4% of all EU imports of fish and fishery products. The graph below illustrates the 10 main countries from which the EU imported canned tuna in 2009 - Ecuador accounted for 17%, Seychelles for 15%, closely followed by Thailand (14%).

Ten main countries from which the EU imported canned tuna in 2009

Ten main countries from which the EU imported canned tuna in 2009

Country	Share of imports (%)
Ecuador	17
Seychelles	15
Thailand	14
Philippines	11
Ivory Coast	10
Mauritius	10
Ghana	8
Colombia	4
Papua New Guinea	3
Indonesia	2

Tuna is a very sensitive commodity for the EU, in particular canned tuna and tuna for use in the processing industry. The EU tuna sector includes a large fishing fleet (88 vessels, comprising 20% of the world fleet) as well as a significant canning industry. The fleet - the world’s largest tuna fishing fleet - is primarily Spanish and French-controlled while the canning industry is located in Spain, France and Italy. The sector is important in these countries, not only because of its long-standing tradition, but because it is a major source of employment and revenue, particularly in coastal communities where other employment opportunities may be limited.

EU Import Regime

The products of most concern to the Community industry are canned tuna and tuna loins (a semi-processed product for use in canning). The MFN import duty rate for these products is 24%. However, as part of its efforts to ensure an adequate supply of raw material to the Community processing industry, the Community has suspended tariffs on imports of unprocessed tuna destined for the sector. On the other hand, the Community opened in 2004 an erga omnes autonomous tariff quota for tuna loins of 4,000 tonnes at 6% duty (Council Regulation (EC) No 379/2004). This quota was increase in 2007 (Regulation (EC) No 824/2007), being 8,000 tonnes in 2007, 9,000 tonnes in 2008 and 10,000 tonnes in 2009.

At the same time, it is important to note that the principal exporting countries of these products enjoy unlimited duty-free access to the Community market via either the ACP tariff preferences or through the GSP+ regime. Of the GSP+ beneficiary countries, exporters of canned tuna and tuna loins are located in Latin American countries. This duty free access to the EU market reflects EU interests that have made significant investments in tuna canning in certain ACP and Latin American countries.

In addition, there was a reduced tariff quota for canned tuna which was opened in July 2003 following a WTO mediation between the Community and Thailand and the Philippines. The mediation, which examined the extent to which these countries' legitimate expectations had been impaired by the duty-free access accorded by the Community to imports of canned tuna from ACP countries, resulted in the Community opening a quota of 25,000 tonnes at 12% duty, i.e. a 50% reduction compared to the MFN rate. The volume of the quota was subsequently increased on 1 July 2004 to 25,750 tonnes in accordance with the conclusion of the mediation. This quota expired on the 30 June 2008 and has not been extended.

Tuna loins

It is worth noting that, in recent years, imports of tuna loins into the EU have been increasing. Since the mid-1990s the Italian processing industry has increasingly used loins as the raw material for canned tuna, followed by France. Recent years have shown there has even been an increase in the use of imported tuna loins by the Spanish canning industry. This probably reflects an important cost saving, by importing raw material free of duty combined with decreased labour costs due to using semi-processed raw material.

Salmon

In 2009, the EU imported around 590,000 tonnes of salmon worth more than €2 billion. Salmon's share of total EU fish imports was almost 14% in 2009. The EU imported mainly fresh or chilled salmon of heading 0302, followed by salmon fillets. The main EU supplier for Pacific salmon is Norway, with more than 560,500 tonnes accounting for €1.9 billion. European markets are the main destination for Norwegian salmon exports according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

According to the FAO, salmon's share in world trade has increased strongly over recent decades. This is mainly due to aquaculture in Northern Europe and in North and South America. In 2006, a merger in the Norwegian salmon industry created the world's largest salmon producer, producing around 20% of global production, with farms in Norway, Chile, Scotland and Canada. Other consolidation in the sector continues.