Export Value Of Chinese Aquatic Products Hits High

This is an increase of 20.9 per cent and 23.7 per cent respectively, hitting a historical high of single month export value.

The export value of aquatic products in 2009 reached US$ 10.7 billion, up by one per cent year-on-year, hitting a historical high after the export value surpassed US$ 10 billion for the first time last year.

Affected by the global financial crisis, in the first two months in 2009, export value of aquatic products dropped 11.9 per cent year-on-year, rarely-seen in history. Ministry of Agriculture paid great attention, by studying on and dealing with this situation with local authorities, relevant industrial associations, and export-oriented enterprises.

First, understood needs of enterprises through inspections, surveys, and discussions, coordinating with relevant departments to increase export tax rebate rate for aquatic products and conducted tax reduction and exemption for European eels, providing a favourable environment for industrial development; second, capitalised on the opportunity when major trading partners visited China for inspection, strengthening the supervision of quality and safety so as to increase competitiveness of export products; Third, innovated working concepts and methods, evaluated market demands scientifically, scaled up information services, and promoted the exploration of international and domestic markets through fairs and various campaigns; fourth, guided enterprises to keep up with policies of trading partners, adapt to the policy changes, and diffuse crisis.

Through concerted efforts, the plummeting export of aquatic products since early 2009 has been kept in control, and the export of aquatic products has shown positive signs, bouncing back since March. Single-month export value of September, November, and December was US$1.045 billion, US$1.05 billion, and US$ 1.24 billion respectively, breaking the record of single-month export value for three times in a row. From January to November, the accumulated export value of aquatic products witnessed negative growth; however, the whole year still witnessed positive growth.

Japan, US, EU, and South Korea were still the major export markets for Chinese aquatic products, but the ratio of total export value of the above-mentioned markets dropped in China's total export value of aquatic products. China's export to ASEAN countries and Taiwan increased. Export to Hong Kong SAR kept growing, with diversified export markets. Coastal provinces such as Shandong, Guangdong, Liaoning, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Hainan provinces were still the major ones in China's export of aquatic products; the total export value of the above-mentioned provinces accounted for 91.9 per cent of the export value of aquatic products in the country. The export value of Fujian Province grew fast due to its trade with Taiwan, up by 31.3 per cent year-on-year, overtaking Zhejiang Province as the fourth largest export province. The inland Jiangxi and Hubei provinces witnessed growth of export value, up by 43.7 per cent and 32.2 per cent respectively.