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International trade

Year of publication 1971

Pages X, 32

Author Lanier, B.V.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Document

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Increasing application of advanced technology, both in harvesting and processing, has resulted in a steady increase in the supply and demand of groundfish products since 1959. Groundfish are taken primarily by otter-trawl gear. An increasing portion of the total catch is being taken each year by large trawlers with equipment aboard that allows the processing and preservation of catches at sea. World production of groundfish has expanded at an average annual rate of 7%. Cod has remained the indus try staple, providing 33% of the total tonnage in 1969. Eleven countries have consistently accounted for 85% of the annual world catch of groundfish. A very substantial proportion of groundfish products go through world trade channels: nearly 60% of world fillet and block production (excluding Soviet and Japanese production); over 50% of world saltfish and stookfish production. World trade in groundfish products has increased 42% since 1960. The total value of this trade has increased by 50% ove r the same period. The more highly processed, higher-priced products, such as fillets and blocks, have been capturing an increasing share of the world market in both weight and value terms. Four north Atlantic countries, Canada, Norway, Iceland and Denmark (including the Faeroe Islands and Greenland), consistently supplied about 70% of the total weight of groundfish products entering the world market from 1960 to 1969. They also supplied a large part of each of the four major product groups: fil lets and blocks, saltfish, stockfish and miscellaneous products. The United States is a major consumer of groundfish products and the leading importer of fillets and blocks. Per capita consumption, which stood at 1.53 kilograms (product weight) in 1969 has been increasing at a rate of .03 kg per year. The United Kingdom is a large consumer of groundfish products and the second most important importer of fillets and blocks. Most of the remaining fillet and block exports go to the European Free Tr ade Association and European Economic Community market areas. The saltfish market, which is centred mainly in southern Europe and South America, has been trending upward. The stockfish market is a minor and declining one. Ex-vessel prices for the major groundfish species have been trending upward since 1960. Block prices in the United States registered a 9% increase between 1960 and 1969, but considerable variation took place. The United States and United Kingdom markets react strongly to change s in price. The export market for groundfish products should continue to grow at the rate of 33,000 metric tons (product weight) per year. Groundfish operations are highly competitive, and fishing has been dominated by the large freezer-trawler fleets operated by developed countries with extensive experience in the fishing business. To compete, developing nations will require substantial financial and technical assistance.

Language English

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