The FAO GLOBEFISH Highlights provides an extensive and solid analysis of the fish market at a global level. The publication contains a detailed quarterly update on market trends for a variety of major commodities such as tuna, groundfish, small pelagics, shrimp, salmon, fishmeal and fish oil, cephalopods, bivalves and crustaceans.

The main highlights of this issue are:

• Farmed shrimp production in Asia is likely to be lower than in 2018. In Latin America, increased production is expected in Ecuador.
• The 25% tariff on imports of Chinese tilapia into USA is negatively impacting margins all along the supply chain and pushing prices downwards. The most likely prospects for future growth are now secondary producers in Latin America, Arica and Southeast Asia.
• After an exceptional year in 2018, pangasius producers who invested heavily in expansion now find themselves facing much more difficult conditions as full inventories and trade restrictions slow markets.
• Lower sales prices of European seabass and sea bream have keept export revenues stable despite rapid volume growth. Many companies have been unable to cover production costs. The recovery in prices expected next year is urgently needed to prevent further financial damage.
• Global production of Atlantic salmon is expected to rise by around 6.5% in 2019 which would be the highest year-on-year increase since 2014.
• Fishmeal prices have been trending downward. Its biggest market is facing uncertainties due to African swine fever outbreak, the USA trade war and a weak yuan.

Read the lastest issue FAO GLOBEFISH Highlights here.