China Turns to South America for Seafood Amid Japan Import Ban
China has been sourcing seafood from South America and other regions after banning imports from Japan a year ago.
The ban, which was imposed following the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, caused a significant shift in China’s seafood imports.
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs shows that overall seafood imports between September 2023 and July 2024 fell by 10% compared to the previous year. Imports of mollusks, including scallops, declined by 11%, and fresh fish imports dropped by 4%.
Before the ban, Japan supplied China with a large portion of its seafood, exporting $290 million worth in the first eight months of 2023 alone.
However, since September 2023, countries such as Indonesia, the U.K., and Argentina have stepped in. Mollusk shipments from Indonesia rose by 42%, while Argentina’s exports nearly tripled.
Despite Japan’s efforts to lift the ban, China remains firm. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized the measures are necessary to protect food safety.
Meanwhile, Japan’s seafood industry, particularly in Hokkaido, has increased exports to the U.S. and Southeast Asia, compensating for the loss of the Chinese market.
