The Present Situation and Trend of Chinese Trade in Aquatic product
Chen Lansun
(Shanghai Fisheries University 200090)
Fish Production
and Consumption in China
Abstract
Chinese fishery production style begins to be converted from scale production to quality benefit after the essence of Agriculture Department’s Notice on Further Accelerating the Fishery Development, Ratified by State Council was completely carried out. Chinese fishery production has a bright perspective, which effectively assures the supply of aquatic product. Aquatic product is greatly demanded in China. Nowadays, the aquatic product consumption and quality conception of Chinese residents have stepped into a higher grade.
Many factors, such as development of aquatic product output and demand, production imbalance of in different seasons and regions, and the shortage of desired species promote the aboard and domestic aquatic product trade of china.
In recent years, though influenced by Southeast Asia’s Financial Crisis, foreign trade of aquatic product still has a new breakthrough and progress both in total quantity and in turnover of trade. Common trade is the general way of foreign trade and China has already put great emphasis on checking quality of aquatic food of imports and exports. Generally speaking, the export price declines while the import price rises for the time being. The main sorts of export are roasted eel, frozen fillet, frozen fish and frozen shrimp meat etc. As for the sorts of import, fish powder occupies a main place. Some other important export sorts are frozen cold fish, eel fry, frozen squid, frozen fresh fish and frozen fish etc. The main countries and regions of export and import are Japan, USA, Korea, European Union, Hong Kong and Taiwan Province of China etc. Partners in foreign trade are relatively concentrated. However, the risk still exists. Export and import mainly exists in the eastern part where the economy is relatively flourishing, while the strong development of foreign trade of aquatic product in middle and western part is also worth notice.
At present, China’s aquatic product markets develop very rapidly. The total quantity and turnover of aquatic product trade increase annually because of high percentage of further commercialization of aquatic product, the abundant resources in market, and the animate trade in rural and urban areas. Aquatic food imported enriches the Chinese market, especially greatly affects the big coastal cities. Consumption of imported aquatic product has partly extended from coastal regions to inland. There is a trend that domestic price of aquatic products is declining. At the beginning of 2000, price began to be steadily increase.
Because Chinese macroeconomics continues growing, especially the swift rising of the interior and western economy, Chinese aquatic product output will develop steadily and further, and demand will also increase greatly in the future. With the rising of Chinese people’s living standard, when comparing with the experience of Four Little Asian Dragons, we will enhance our nutrition. Thus aquatic product will play an important role in consumption structure of Chinese food. Because of limited aquatic resource and increasing population, a survey predicts that a shortage would emerge in domestic supply of aquatic product from 2020 to 2030 and import trade of aquatic product will become very important on releasing domestic rations pressure. Such facts completely indicate that Chinese aquatic product market will take on a progressive trend.
China will take part in WTO soon, so Chinese aquatic-products industry is facing the chance as well as the challenge. WTO’s purpose of free global trade will speed up international trade in Chinese aquatic product. Meanwhile, it will have impact partly on the output and circulation of the aquatic product. Chinese aquatic-products industry is researching for countermeasures and amending laws and regulations so as to solve the problems of uniting markets and bring foreign and domestic trade of aquatic product into a regulated administration. Chinese fishery will face the challenge from WTO with efficient productivity and management.
1. The fisheries production and consumption in China
1.1 The prosperous developing of fisheries production assured the supply of aquatic product.
1.1.1. The output of aquatic product in China
In recent years, the great development of fisheries production has assured the supply of aquatic product. The NOTICE has been executed all over the country. After the realization of “zero increasing” and “closed season” policies, fishing has been developing quite steadily with a lower increasing speed than ever. At the same time, the production of aquaculture industry has increased, the structure of which has been adjusted from “quantity and scale style” to “quality and benefit style”. The development trend of fisheries production can be seen well from the following charts and tables.
| (unit: 10 thousand tons) | |||||||
|
Statistical item (year) |
total output of aquatic product |
#1 marine product |
marine fishing |
marine culture |
#2 inland aquatic product |
inland fishing |
inland culture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1997 |
3601 |
2176 |
1385 |
791 |
1452 |
188 |
1236 |
|
1998 |
3906 |
2356 |
1496 |
860 |
1549 |
228 |
1321 |
|
1999 |
4122 |
2472 |
1498 |
974 |
1650 |
228 |
1422 |
Data resource: Chinese Statistics Yearbook,1998，1999，2000
Chart 1 Output of Aquatic Product in China (1990-1999 )
(Data begins
with approximately 120,000,000 MT in 1990 and goes to over 400,000,000 MT
in 1999)
Data resource: Chinese Statistics Yearbook,1998,1999,2000
There are eleven provinces in China whose fisheries output exceeds 1,000,000 tons. They are Shandong, Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Hubei, Guangxi, Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan, the total output index of which amounts to 90% of that of the whole country.
The freshwater aquatic production in Hubei, Anhui, Guangxi and Hunan is about 30% of the production of the same species in China, which is about 12% of total national production; The other seven provinces in the East China cover 78% of the total national production. So the aquatic product is mainly supplied in the eastern regions and interior provinces.
1.1.2. The species of aquatic products in China
Oriented by market, the structure of fisheries in China is being adjusted and the better-quality, high additional-value and well-selling aquatic products are supplied to consumers. Aquatic product usually is referred to what belonging to the non-staple foodstuffs, including fresh and frozen fishes, crab, shrimp and some processed aquatic products.
(1) Marine products
A. The species of marine capture : Because of the decreasing of aquatic resources and the transference of capturing emphasis, the species of marine products supplied to consumers changes greatly.
At present, China is adjusting the fisheries operation structure in coastal waters to tap new aquatic resources and fishing grounds. The fishing emphasis has been diverted from the bottom layer. For example, the catch from the middle-and-lower bottom level was 7,785,500 tons in 1998, 686,800 tons less than that in 1997, declining by 8.1%; the pelagic catch was 7,181,200 tons in 1998, 1,799,800 tons more than that in 1997, ascending by 33.44%. Now the production increases because of the overall ban-fishing. In the following list are the categories of marine products in China, the output of which respectively exceeds 10 thousand tons.
|
Products
|
1996 |
1997 |
|---|---|---|
|
Cod |
226,900 |
220,000 |
|
large yellow croaker |
80,072 |
69,950 |
|
small yellow croaker |
253,482 |
212,631 |
|
Filefish (thamnaconus septentrionalis) |
210,188 |
296,781 |
|
Round scad |
607,686 |
505,991 |
|
Anchovy |
671,376 |
1,201,964 |
|
Hairtail (trichiuridae) |
1,071,914 |
1,014,598 |
|
Swimcrab |
283,394 |
237,960 |
|
Stimpso |
163,060 |
174,967 |
|
Akiami paste shrimp |
442,460 |
480,056 |
|
Marine mussels |
932,374, |
1,494,902 |
|
jellyfish |
265,325 |
400,483 |
Data resource: FAO Fishery Statistics Yearbook,1998,1999
B. The species of marine culture
Marine culture takes on a wonderful situation, among which the output of some noted, special superior and new species increase obviously in volume. When culturing kelp laminaria, scallop, prawn penaeus chinensis etc. on a large scale, local departments also begin to culture abalone, olive flounder, sea bass, sea cucumber, arkshell etc according to concrete situation. Marine culture is developed with the net cage, so the sea bass, marine shrimp, marine crab, groupers, red sea bream, greater yellow croaker and lobster etc. develops greatly.
(2) Freshwater products
A. The species of the freshwater culture
Traditional species prevails, such as grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp, Prussian carp, breams etc. The output and percentage of special aquatic products in freshwater culture are rising year by year. For instance, the total output of soft-shelled turtle and Chinese mitten crab reached 61.9 thousand tons and 190 thousand tons respectively in 1999. Some other species also enrich the market unceasingly, such as freshwater shrimps, lobster, snake-head fishes, and aquatic product anese ell, mandarin fish, sea bass, channel catfish etc. At the same time, some new aquaculture species are imported such as tiger shrimp, red-eye mullet, freshwater groupers etc., which also enrich the “food basket.”
B. The species of freshwater fishing
Traditional species prevails, i.e. grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp, Prussian carp, breams etc.
(3) The aquatic product processing
The total national output of fisheries processing is 4.9835 million tons in 1997, and 5.4373 million tons in 1998.
The aquatic product processing makes the low value fishes popular. Minced fish products, as fish cake, fish bar, fish ham, fish ball etc. sell well all over the country. Processed oyster and scallop etc. are also welcome. Fish steak and fish finger become typical local food. The marine nutrition and health product that newly exploited is up-to-date in the aquatic product market.
At present, the volume of the processed aquatic product only occupies 10%-30% of the total, far lower than that in the developed countries. The processing rate of freshwater product is even lower, and most of them are sold freshly. According to the statistics in 1997, the total production of freshwater fish reached 14 254 000 tons, while the frozen product of freshwater fish was 54 100 tons, only 0.38% of the total. The freshwater fish products with fine processing are even less, only several thousand tons.
China is a great-nation in producing shell, which occupies about 25% of the total aquatic product. Since the output of marine shells makes up 80% of total output of marine culture, the processing of shellfish will bring a great mass fervor in processing the aquatic product in China. In addition, the production and processing of the pearl is also concerned.
(4) Fry and fish powder
Fingerling, fry and fish powder etc. Which needed in the fishery production belongs to the indirect consumer goods. The fry of crab larva and ell etc. is in rather short supply for the time being while all kinds of special and superior fries are also in great demand.
520.446 billion freshwater fries are produced in China in 1998, 108.291 billion more than in 1997 The fingerling put in to breed was 2 172 700 tons, 281 000 tons more than in 1997. 1.111 billion marine fries are produced, 144 million more than in 1997.
In China, fish powder is produced about 200 000~300 000 tons annually, what’s more, it’s mainly produced in Shandong and Zhejiang, and the output in each province is about 55%and 30% of the total.
1.1.3. The commercialization ratio of aquatic product and capitalization in China
(1) Analyzed from the angles of the production and consumption of aquatic products in the country family, commercialization ratio is about 80% (seen as Table 3)
|
Year |
Aquatic Output (kg) |
Aquatic Sale(kg) |
Aquatic Consumption (kg) |
Aquatic Commercialization Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1994 |
16.74 |
13.49 |
3.25 |
80.6% |
|
1995 |
16.72 |
13.20 |
3.52 |
78.9% |
|
1996 |
18.17 |
14.45 |
3.72 |
79.5% |
|
1997 |
19.59 |
15.48 |
4.11 |
79.0% |
|
1998 |
22.72 |
18.52 |
4.20 |
81.5% |
Data resource: Chinese Statistics Yearbook,1998,1999
(2) The commercialization ratio of aquatic products is the highest one in the national agricultural products, which reached 83% both in 1996 and in 1997. Because many large fishery enterprises and groups are engaged in professional and large-scale production, the commercialization ratio of national aquatic products is higher than that formed by fishermen’s retail.
(3) In 1999, the capitalization occupation for aquatic product is 32.7kg in china, 1.4kg more than in 1998.
1.1.4 The production of aquatic product promotes the development of the relative trade at home and abroad.
The fisheries production develops continuously and steadily in China that assures an abundant supply of goods in market. There exists every kind of products that one expects to find, varying from the fresh or frozen production to the further processing products. Meanwhile, the improvement of the quality of aquatic products assures the inhabitants in town and country of a higher quality in consuming. There is a great demand for the fresh, live and new aquatic products in the coastal areas, and the market share of in direct sale of frozen product enlarges. Freshwater live fish plays the lead in the markets of inland cities while the frozen and processed products are welcomed in the northern areas.
Because much imbalance of distribution exists in fisheries resources in the world, the species of aquatic product and the consumption habit varies in different districts. Each county pays great attention to the aquatic product trade and stimulates the trade and circulation of aquatic product to be internationally marketable. In the light of the characteristics of the market home and aboard, Chinese fishery circles is taking an active part in a certain scope of international aquatic trade.
1.2 The consumption characteristics of aquatic product in China
1.2.1 The consumption volume for aquatic product year by year
The aquatic product consumption of capitalization in a year rose to 9.84 kg in the town and 3.66 kg in the countryside in 1998
Chart 2 Aquatic product consumption of captilization China every year(1990-1998) (kg)
 |
(City consumption begins at 2,000
kg for village consumption and slightly less than 8,000kg for city consumption
in 1990 and goes to slightly less than 4,000 kg for village and slightly less
than 10,000 kg for city in 1998)
Data resource: Chinese Statistics Yearbook,1998,1999,2000
1.2.2 The consumption of aquatic product is increasingly becoming high-grade
The increase of aquatic product and species in China enriches the “ food basket” of the habitants. The phenomena that consumption focuses on traditional festivals and holidays are decreasing, and the in habits intend to purchase in any time. The scale-classification, processing method and wrapping style of aquatic products have a more influence on the sale and consumption. Some kinds of excellent species are welcomed both in the coastal cities and in the inland cities. Some traditional high-grade aquatic product, such as Chinese mitten crab, aquatic product and anese eel, soft-shelled turtle etc, have stepped into the common families with the price’s declining. Some aquatic products imported, such as mandarin fish, sea bass, channel catfish, also have been accepted by markets, and the sale of which keeps steady.
1.2.3 The cities are the main consumption market for aquatic product trade and the village market is growing stronger.
1.2.4 The consciousness for the quality of the consumption for aquatic product strengthens
To assure the human health and protect the agricultural products and by-product from polluting, the green food is popular in the world. The Chinese habitants lose the enthusiasm for soft-shelled turtle, swamp eel etc., because of the pharmaceutical pollution, and now they have a increasing demand for non-polluted aquatic product. In the recent years, the aquatic condition is worsening and the aquatic resources can’t grow healthily, which is concerned by the mass of the consumers.
Back to Top of Page2. The import and export trade of aquatic production in China
2.1 The present situation of import and export trade of aquatic products in China
2.1.1 the volume and value of import and export of Chinese aquatic products
The import and export of Chinese aquatic products share a part in Chinese national economy and international trade. Aquatic products is one of the main agricultural products that export, the export value of which has been more than 2% of the total export value in China since the 1990’s. According to the statistics of customs, the export volume of Chinese aquatic product has been increasing steadily since the policy of reforming and opening is carried on, and keeps increasing from 1997 till 1999 despite the influence of the finance crisis in Eastern and Southern Asia. Chinese trade of the aquatic product has a new breakthrough and development both in sum volume and value. At present, the export aquatic product is ranked the ninth among the whole export goods in China, and ranked front among the agricultural exporting, above the total amount of grains and vegetables. The volume and value of import and export of Chinese aquatic product during the recent years can be seen in the table 4.
|
Year |
Export Volume (10 000 tons) |
Export Amount (Billion USD) |
Import Volume (10,000 tons) |
Import Amount (Billion USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1996 |
80.2 |
3.297 |
138.68 |
1.204 |
|
1997 |
92.2 |
3.14 |
151.3 |
1.22 |
|
1998 |
100.3 |
2.84 |
114.1 |
1.02 |
|
1999 |
134.8 |
3.14 |
130.5 |
1.29 |
Data resource: Chinese Fishery Statistics Yearbook,1996,1997,1998,1999
Influenced by Asia finance crisis, Chinese aquatic product declined in 1998, the total trading volume and value is 2.144 million tons and 3.86 billion dollars, 12% and 11.3% less than in 1997 respectively; and trade surplus is 18.2 billion dollars, 1.1 billion dollars less than in 1997. In 1999, the international trading of Chinese aquatic product became better and took on a new look.
2.1.2. Aquatic species in foreign trade
According to the changes of demand in international market, China has always been very keen on developing the export species marketable; and culturing the famous, special and excellent aquatic species, which effectively promote the import and export trade of aquatic products. The species of aquatic export in 1999 are shown as table 5.
|
Products |
Export Volume (unit:10,000 tons) |
Export Value (unit: billion USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Roast ell |
5.8 |
0.633 |
|
Frozen fish flake |
24.0 |
0.477 |
|
Cold shrimp meat |
3.7 |
0.164 |
|
Live fish |
6.8 |
0.142 |
|
Cold fresh fish |
7.0 |
0.119 |
|
Frozen fish |
36.7 |
0.369 |
|
Salted & dried fish |
2.1 |
0.084 |
|
Mussels |
8.15 |
0.315 |
|
Crustacean |
22.0 |
0.04 |
|
Seaweeds |
5.8 |
0.089 |
|
processed aquatic product |
17.8 |
1.020 |
Data resource: Chinese Fishery Statistics Yearbook,1999
The fish powder occupied a major position in import trade. 631 000 tons fish powder was imported and valued at 0.36 billion while 154 tons eel fry imported and valued at USD 0.184 billion in 1999. The other major import species were frozen cod, and cuttlefish, frozen squid, cold fresh fish, frozen fish and frozen fish block etc.
2.1.3 Aquatic trade partners
Main aquatic trade partners with China are Japan, America, Korea, EU, Russia, HK, Peru, Canada, Chinese Taiwan Province, Chile, the trade status of which are shown as Table 6.
|
Trade Partners |
Export Value (unit: billion USD) |
Import Value (unit: billion USD) |
Total Value (unit: billion USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Japan |
1.752 |
0.195 |
1.947 |
|
America |
0.353 |
0.102 |
0.455 |
|
Korea |
0.386 |
0.038 |
0.424 |
|
EU |
0.262 |
0.084 |
0.347 |
|
Russia |
0.008 |
0.326 |
0.333 |
|
HK |
0.214 |
0.035 |
0.249 |
|
Peru |
2886USD |
0.187 |
0.187 |
|
Canada |
0.025 |
0.039 |
0.064 |
|
Chinese Taiwan Province |
0.052 |
0.0097 |
0.062 |
|
Chile |
33000USD |
0.04 |
0.04 |
Data resource: Chinese Fishery Statistics Yearbook,1998,1999
In the export trade in Chinese aquatic product, the trade indices to Japan, Korea, America, EU, HK occupies a higher position, which are 56%, 12%, 11%, 8% and 7% of the total amount in aquatic product trade. In the import trade in aquatic product, the import is mainly from Russia, Japan, Peru, America etc.
2.1.4. Analysis on the domestic provinces engaged in aquatic trade.
Coastal areas, as relatively developed districts, play the major part in Chinese aquatic trade while the inland areas also have developed to different extent. In 1998, the trade amount in twelve coastal areas occupies 98% in national amount while in the middle and western areas it only occupies 1.6%.
(1) The aquatic product import and export in eastern coastal provinces and cities
|
Eastern Coastal District |
Export Quantity in 1999 (unit:10 000 tons) |
Export Amount in 1999 (unit: billion USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Shandong |
45.6 |
0.882 |
|
Fujian |
12.3 |
0.562 |
|
Guangdong |
18.4 |
0.447 |
|
Zhejiang |
15.8 |
0.44 |
|
Liaoning |
29.4 |
0.435 |
|
Jiangsu |
3.7 |
0.111 |
|
Tianjin |
2.3 |
0.078 |
|
Shanghai |
2.3 |
0.06 |
|
Hainan |
0.5 |
0.018 |
|
Beijing |
0.4 |
0.014 |
Data resource: Chinese Fishery Statistics Yearbook,1999
|
Eastern Coastal District |
Import Quantity in 1999 (unit:10 000 tons) |
Import Amount in 1999 (unit: billion USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Shandong |
40.3 |
0.397 |
|
Fujian |
20.9 |
0.215 |
|
Guangdong |
14.4 |
0.198 |
|
Liaoning |
18.7 |
0.167 |
|
Beijing |
16.7 |
0.089 |
Data resource: Chinese Fishery Statistics Yearbook,1999
(2) The aquatic import and export in the western and central districts
The aquatic import and export in the western and central districts develop more rapidly, and the trend of which is toward up, refer to table 8a & 8b .
|
Western and central district |
Export Amount in 1998 (10 thousand USD) |
Export Amount in 1999 (10 thousand USD) |
Ratio of increase |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jiangxi |
736.8 |
1842 |
150% |
|
Hunan |
49.6 |
1390 |
2700% |
|
Hubei |
219.7 |
380 |
73% |
|
Heilongjiang |
343.9 |
282 |
-18% |
|
Anhui |
153.8 |
263 |
71% |
|
Jilin |
147.9 |
244 |
65% |
|
Yunnan |
139.5 |
226 |
62% |
|
Henan |
20 |
72 |
260% |
|
Neimenggu |
38.6 |
59 |
53% |
|
Guizhou |
7 |
42 |
500% |
|
Qinghai |
2.7 |
24 |
780% |
Data resource: Chinese Fishery Statistics Yearbook,1998,1999
|
Western and central district |
Import Quantity (10 thousand tons) |
Import Amount (10 thousand USD) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1998 |
1999 |
1998 |
1999 |
|
|
Hunan |
6410 |
10000 |
519 |
462 |
|
Guizhou |
0.0 |
8065 |
0.0 |
363 |
|
Henan |
65 |
4663 |
18 |
265 |
|
Anhui |
25 |
2840 |
6.3 |
126 |
Data resource: Chinese Fishery Statistics Yearbook,1998,1999
The aquatic product development in the western and central districts obviously lags behind the coastal areas, but it has great potentialities and vast vistas in aquatic product. We should enlarge its exploitation and fully exert the local superiority to enhance its international competitive ability in widening international market.
2.1.5 The foreign trade ways of the aquatic products
Analyzed according to the trade ways, the common trade is the general way in the import and export trade of Chinese aquatic product. At the same time, some other trade ways, such as processing the raw material imported or given, and other ways (e.g. border trade, compensates trade, barter trade) etc., has been also developed to the different extent. The quantity and percentage of Chinese aquatic product in different trade ways are as following table 9a and 9b.
|
Mode |
Import Quantity (10 thousand tons) |
Import Amount
|
Export Quantity (10 thousand tons) |
Export Amount (billion USD) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1998 |
1999 |
1998 |
1999 |
1998 |
1999 |
1998 |
1999 |
|
|
General Trade |
43.1 |
66.3 |
0.36 |
0.59 |
63.1 |
94.6 |
1.68 |
1.96 |
|
Processing on Import Materials |
42.9 |
40.8 |
0.35 |
0.42 |
23.4 |
26 |
0.76 |
0.78 |
|
Processing on Giving Materials |
24.3 |
19.4 |
0.27 |
0.25 |
10.6 |
11 |
0.336 |
0.34 |
|
Others |
3.8 |
4.0 |
0.04 |
0.03 |
3.2 |
3.2 |
0.064 |
0.06 |
|
Total |
114.1 |
130.5 |
1.02 |
1.29 |
100.3 |
134.8 |
2.84 |
3.14 |
Data resource: Chinese Fishery Statistics Yearbook,1998,1999
|
Trade Modes |
Import Quantity |
Import Amount |
Export Quantity |
Export Amount |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1998 |
1999 |
1998 |
1999 |
1998 |
1999 |
1998 |
1999 |
|
|
General Trade |
38% |
50% |
35% |
46% |
63% |
70% |
59% |
62% |
|
Processing on Import Materials |
38% |
31% |
34% |
33% |
23% |
19% |
27% |
25% |
|
Processing on Giving Materials |
21% |
15% |
27% |
19% |
11% |
8% |
12% |
11% |
|
Others |
3% |
4% |
4% |
2% |
3% |
3% |
2% |
2% |
|
Total |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
Data resource: calculation based on the data in Table 9a
2.1.6. The foreign price of the aquatic product
The general average price of the fisheries product export declined, and the price for import rose.
(1) In 1999, the export volume and value of the fisheries product for export rises greatly while the general average price sharply declines to per kilogram 2329 dollars, 18% less than 2837 dollar in the last year. Analyzed on the means of export and import, processing with imported materials was priced 3033 dollar per ton, 8%less than 3300 dollar in the last year; the price of processing on giving materials declines 3% to 3086 dollars per ton Analyzed on the export species, the price of live fish declines by 6.3%, cold fresh fish by 22%, frozen fish by 42%, the well-processed product by 13%. The roast eel export was priced 10869 dollar, 7% less than 11717 dollar in the former year while the export price of frozen fish steak was 1985 dollar, 5% less than 2047 dollar in the last year. The price of mussels and crustacean for export rises by 1.2% and 2.7%.
(2) Except for fish powder，the general average price of fisheries product import rises to 1383 dollar per ton, 40% more than 985 dollar in the last year in the import trade of fisheries product in 1999. The average import price in processing with imported materials or giving materials and common trade rose by 23%, 13.7% and 7.2% per ton. Fish powder is low-value product, the import price of which is 570.5 dollar per ton. The import price of ell fry rose to 119.8 dollar per ton, 2.1 times more than 0.383 billion dollars in the last year.
2.1.7. The Chinese tariff on export and import of fisheries product
(1) Export tariff is temporarily decided, There is a export tariff only for eel fry. In 1999, the tariff ratio was adjusted from the original 20% to 10%.
(2) At present, there are two kinds of import tariff, one is basic tariff, and the other is annual tariff. Basis tariff is the basis, on which GATT & WTO negotiates to reducing the tariff. Annual tariff is objectively carried out and properly adjusted every year, e.g. tariff rations in 2000 have been adjusted lower on the basis in 1999.
|
Import |
Basic Beneficial Tariff |
Basic General Tariff |
Beneficial Tariff Ratio in 1999 |
General Tariff Ratio in 1999 |
Value Added Tax |
Import Composite Tariff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ornamental Fish (Live, Fresh, Iced and Frozen Aquatic Products) |
60% |
80% |
40% |
80% |
13 - 17% |
40 - 52% |
|
Fish Fry of Eel (Live, Fresh, Iced and Frozen Aquatic Products) |
30% |
40% |
20% |
40% |
13 - 17% |
40 - 52% |
|
Others (Live, Fresh, Iced and Frozen Aquatic Products) |
30-60% |
40-60% |
15-30% |
40-80% |
13 - 17% |
40 - 52% |
|
Processed Aquatic Products |
30-60% |
40-110% |
25% |
90% |
17% |
46.25% |
|
Fish Powder |
6% |
11% |
3% |
11% |
13% |
16.39% |
Data Resource: China’s Import & Export Tariff, 1998,1999
The tariff can be divided into preferential tariff and normal tariff, and the former is lower than the later and entitled to the countries and areas, with whom the trade relation is good. Except that fish meal that encouraged to import by government is lower, the general import tariff of fisheries product is 40% to 50% at present.
2.1.8. China pays more attention to the quality and inspection.
From DOC, 18th 1997, all fisheries products that exported to America must be inspected according to the standard of HACCP. Japan is taken research on how to organize the produce and import of fisheries products that enter the Japanese markets on the basis of HACCP.
The HACCP system is an obligatory law and regulation recently used in examining the quality management of the aquatic product in western developed countries. The HACCP principle is propagated by the international organizations, such as FAO, WTO. The Chinese export of ornamental fish and shells etc. Is bared because of the virus inspected by EU.
We must break through the green bar of trade to take initiation on to export of fisheries product, and prevent a lot of fisheries product accompanied with virus from entering. So we must take more to the safety and quality of fisheries product.
2.1.9. Analyzed on the mode of the export and import corporation of fisheries product.
At present the export and import corporation of fisheries product varies.
2.2 The features of the trade of fisheries product
China is a great country the fisheries product, but the competitive ability of fisheries product in the international markets is not’t strong and the product exported is little. The situation looks not so good that we must readjust the structure of the products and industries, lower the cost of product, improve the quality of the product and strengthen the competition in international market. At present, the trade features of fisheries product are:
2.2.1 Common trade prevails and many kinds of ways of trade coexist. We try to reduce the export proportion of normal trade and improve the proportion of processing on giving materials etc, to implore the foreign exchange.
2.2.2 Export markets are relatively concentrated, Japan, Korea, America and HK is the major export market while the import market is relatively scattered.
2.2.3 Export price of aquatic products declined resulted from the mutually marking down between the export corporations.
2.2.4 Marine pollution and over-fishing arouse the reduction and degradation of fishing resources as well as results in the lesser export of high-grade and high-value aquatic products.
2.2.5. There’s still a long gap in preserving, processing and composite utilization of aquatic products between China and other countries. The species of aquatic export are mainly fresh, frozen, dried, smoked or toasted fishes.
2.2.6 Changes of international situation, such as the East-South Asia crisis, influence greatly on the Chinese aquatic trade. Therefore, the abilities to prevent risk are urgent to be enhanced.
Back to Top of Page3.1. The development of China’s aquatic products market
3.1.1. The amount of trade in aquatic products market
In aquatic modest market, resources are plentiful and trades are active, in city or town. The quantity of trade increases year by rear, including import aquatic product, the quantity of trade, is 1491 ten-thousand tons in 1998, 19.66% more than in 1997, the amount of trade, is￥1659 billion, and increases by 19.7%.
|
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Trade Quantity |
1014.6 |
1246 |
1491 |
|
Trade Amount |
113.5 billion RMB |
138.6 billion RMB |
165.9 billion RMB |
Data resource: Chinese Fishery Statistics Yearbook,1998,1999
3.1.2. The effect of Importing aquatic product to China market.
The importing aquatic product enriches China market, especially to the big coastal city. The consumption of import aquatic product has been extended from coastal areas to the mid-west districts.
(1) Live aquatic product market: main import product are as follow: Australia or New Zealand lobster, Cuba small lobster, Thailand or China’s Taiwan tiger shrimp, channel catfish, salmons, groupers, mud crab etc.. They are consumed mainly in hotel, some are consumed in home banquet of general people.
(2) Frozen aquatic product: main import product refers to table 13. The major of them are accepted by consumers.
|
Varieties of Frozen Aquatic Imports |
Import Percentage(%) |
Major Import Countries & Regions |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Hairtail fish |
22.3% |
India - Indonesia - Thailand - Malaysia - USA |
|
2 |
Cuttle fish |
18.3% |
India - Indonesia - Thailand - Malaysia - Morocco |
|
3 |
Arctic shrimp |
14.1% |
Norway - Denmark |
|
4 |
Spotted maigre |
10.6% |
India - Pakistan - Indonesia - Thailand |
|
5 |
Squid |
8.5% |
North Pacific - Argentina |
|
6 |
Elongate ilisha |
5.5% |
India - Pakistan - Indonesia - Thailand |
|
7 |
Silvery pomfret |
5.2% |
India - Burma |
|
8 |
Drum |
3.5% |
Argentina - Uruguay |
|
9 |
Conger eel |
2.8% |
India - Indonesia - Thailand - Korea |
|
10 |
Mixed |
3.0% |
|
|
11 |
Others |
6.2% |
|
|
Total for all |
100% |
||
Data resource: Survey on Varieties & Resources of Major Aquatic Imports in Cold Storage (1998-1999)
(3) huge mall sell the import products, such as refers to table 13. also, all kinds of aquatic tins have been followed with interest by consumers.
|
The price of import aquatic product |
Producing area |
Price(Yuan) |
Scale of package |
Package form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
USA CA squid |
USA |
9.50 |
500g |
0 |
|
American white shrimp |
USA |
25.00 |
250g |
0 |
|
Arctic shrimp |
Denmark |
16.90 |
500g |
Iced in bulk |
|
Flatfish |
India |
8.90 |
500g |
Iced in bulk |
|
Elongate ilisha |
Thailand |
12.10 |
500g |
Iced in bulk |
|
Thailand tiger shrimp |
Thailand |
36.80 |
300g |
In box |
|
Taiwan tiger shrimp |
China Taiwan |
38.00 |
1000g |
With plate |
|
Silver cods |
Argentina |
41.90 |
500g |
In box |
|
Silver cods |
Norway |
125.00 |
1000g |
With plate |
|
Salmons |
Norway |
75.80 |
1000g |
With plate |
|
Cods |
Norway |
45.80 |
1000g |
With plate |
|
Arctic shell |
Canada Norway |
21.00 |
220g |
|
|
Green mouth shell |
Canada Austrian |
32.80 |
1000g |
With plate |
|
Elephant nose shell |
Canada |
30.00 |
100g |
With plate |
|
Tuna |
Thailand Philippines |
5.80 |
180g |
Tinned |
|
Tunas flake |
Japan |
409.00 |
1000g |
Iced in bulk |
Data resource, the investigation of aquatic product market of 1998~1999
3.1.3. Domestic market price of aquatic products
(1) Rudimental tendency of price of aquatic products
In recent years, Chinese consumption demand sagged, with price index and social total consumption level decreasing continually. Suffering such negative influence, the cosmetic consumption of aquatic product dwindled relatively. As the total price index of national wide decreasing continually, the price of aquatic product present a tendency of decrement, among which the degree of decrement of seafood is relatively low, which of freshwater fish is relatively high, which of special aquatic products, such as turtle and crab is severely. In general, the supply is beyond the demand of aquatic products market, and in some region, the aquatic products are overstocked much.
At the beginning of 2000, market price of aquatic products in China, on the base of stability, had some tendency of increasing. The character is that the degree of increasing of freshwater fish is greater than which of seafood, the price general aquatic products increasing evidently, and the price of special aquatic products being under a period of adjustment product
(2) The price index of aquatic products
From 1994 to 1998, the price index of aquatic products of China decreased consecutively with average annual decrement 6.0%, and the price index of 1998 is 93.9.
At the same time, the purchase price index of aquatic products decreased also, which is 112.4 in 1995, 103.4 in 1996 and 91.7 in 1997.
|
Year |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
Average annual decrement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
aquatic product |
120.3 |
114.4 |
106.0 |
100.2 |
93.9 |
6.0% |
|
meat & poultry |
141.6 |
126.4 |
104.5 |
105.5 |
90.9 |
10.5% |
|
egg |
115.0 |
114.6 |
116.5 |
79.3 |
100.9 |
3.2% |
|
Data resource: Chinese Statistics Yearbook,1998,1999 |
||||||
3.1.4 Market construction of aquatic products
(1) Market construction
In 1995, eight aquatic products wholesale markets were aquatic product pointed as the first national transfer and wholesale market or pointing fresh and live farm produce center. At present, market developing aquatic product idly, and the supply of market is enough. These wholesale markets concluded aquatic products’ chilling storage, transportation, wholesale and retail in a whole. Products face directly to wholesalers, retailers as well as final consumers, reducing the current course of aquatic products, and make a positive impact on aquatic products’ developing and flourishing. Up to now, there are aquatic product proximate 350 pieces of professional aquatic products market in all the China, whose trade amount account for 20% of all national aquatic products trade amount. Among which, city is in possession of 160 pieces, which hold 13% of the amount of national aquatic products trade. But some emphasis producing areas of aquatic products still have not any aquatic products wholesale and exchange market.
(2) East and west aquatic products market make a development with different degree
l Shanghai CaoAn-SiPing aquatic products market and Tong-chuan Road aquatic products market hold a main exchange of live aquatic products with top-grade quality from home or abroad, including crab, soft-shelled turtle, shrimp, Australia shrimp, salmons，groupers and so on, about 100 variety.
l Tibet aquatic products market is flourishing day after day, and supply of aquatic products is more and more abundant. At present, there are many kinds of aquatic products in Lasa farm produce market, including local Lasa fish, Tibet catfish, and living carp, Prussian carp, eel, soft-shelled turtle and so on from inland. Although the price is higher than which of inland, the enough supply and variety meet with Tibet’s demand of aquatic products in some degree.
(3) Operating methods of aquatic products
Besides state owned company, there are lots of collectivity, joint venture, private enterprise, personal and producer were engaged in the current and trade field of aquatic products, bring with giant activity to the trade of aquatic products.
Up to now, the live aquatic products were almost operated by personal and private enterprises, and the state owned enterprises barely join in it.
Now, a trade mode of company and farmer cooperating together is in prevalence, and it makes the scattered culture and industrialized to associate together, which improved the quality of products, strengthened the rival ability of market as well as expanded the domestic and abroad markets.
(4) Sales channel of aquatic products is further widened
The major distributing centers of Chinese aquatic products lie in coastal port cities. After aquatic products reach ports, they will be distributed to all places. The main transportation is by railroad and highway. The sale mode can be divided below several steps. It is the main supplying company that distribute them to wholesaler from all places at fist, then the wholesaler wholesale the products to retailers of all places. In China, the retail markets of aquatic products are just the terminal market and subsidiary food market. Because of some restriction in processing, transporting and preserving, wear down of aquatic products, before arriving at consumption places and processing factories, is relatively high (about 10%).
Personal aquatic business operator enters suburb aquatic culture and deal directly, they also could buy stock from markets nearby and then transport them to city market for sale. This kind of dealing mode, which is erected by both suppliers and sellers, is flexible and single. A closely relationship between suppliers and sellers is determined.
At present, new selling channel for aquatic products is broadened. For example the aquatic product appearance of personal transporting and marketing teams promote long-distance-selling of living aquatic products. The aquatic product appearance of fishermen brokers who link up supply and market makes aquatic market run better. Now they play important role in the aquatic business.
3.1.5. Key problems in the building of aquatic products market in China
(1) Insufficient development of aquatic products market. Because the property right system is not implemented, companies are not the real main part of market. Fishers are separate and mini-scale operators. So they can’t make up the high-organized market master.
(2) Morbidity of market signal forming system. The data security of price signal is low. There still exit a lot of deviations of price and value, so the signal can’t reflect the real situation of consumers and suppliers.
(3) The circulation of aquatic products is still spontaneous, disperse and out-of-order, which greatly baffled the development of aquatic business.
(4) Distinct seasonal and regional feature and the problems of keeping fresh and advanced dealing process baffled the more development of aquatic products market.
Back to Top of Page4. Development tendency of aquatic products trade in China
4.1. Development of Chinese macro-economy
The future towards of Chinese macro-economy will bring a large increment of consumption of aquatic products.
4.1.1. Developments of GDP and per person GDP
From 1994 to 1998, average annual increment of Chinese GDP is 14.2%, and the GDP of 1998 amount to 79395.7 zillion. With average annual increment 13.0% of per person GDP, in 1998, per person GDP amounted to 6392 Yuan RMB, equal to 770 US$.
4.1.2. Development of population
From 1994 to 1998,Chinese population expands with average annual 1.03%, and the population of 1998 amount to 12.48 zillion, among which city residents occupied 30.40%, the left 69.60% is rural residents. With the expanding of city residents, the vegetable engineering, including aquatic products, is more and more important.
4.1.3. Modernization enhance
With the speed up of economy and industrialization, the modernization in China was enhanced year by year. For example, by 1996,the modernization of center and west China are 22.91% and 16.94% respectively. The west China, there are 245 cities in middle China and 141 ones in West, occupying 36.8% and 21.2% respectively of total 660 cities in China. (data resources: Development annals of middle west China, in 1997)
4.1.4. Chinese urban and rural residents’ income
Chinese urban and rural residents’ income enhanced continually. Per person’s dominant income of urban and rural families is 5425.1 Yuan, incremented 264.8 Yuan, by 4.9%, compared with the last year, and pure per person income of rural family is 2162.0 Yuan, incremented 71.9 Yuan, by 3.4%. As the research showed, the flexible value between aquatic products consumption and income is from 0.6 to 0.8,which enough proved that aquatic products is a necessary consumable. And, at the same time, the expense of aquatic-products consumption will be enhanced with the rise of residents’ income.
4.1.5 Consumptionlevel of Chinese residents
Per personal consumption of Chinese urban and rural families is rising year by year. In 1998, the average expenditure of all Chinese residents was 2972 Yuan per person and per year, augmented 138 Yuan by 4.9%. And average expenditure of city residents was 6182 Yuan per person, which increased 396 Yuan by 6.66%, compared with the last year, and per personal expenditure of rural residents was 1895 Yuan, increased 19 Yuan by 1.0%, which is lower than that of city residents.
4.1.6 Comparison of consumption level between urban and rural residents.
Comparison value between urban and rural residents (the value of rural residents is 1), in 1994, was 3.5, and, in 1998, it was 3.3 (remark: the comparison was not excluded these incomparable factors of prices). The above illustrate the difference of consumption level between urban and rural tend to shrink.
4.1.7. Income disparity between Middle West China and other places
Now the economy of Middle West China increased more aquatic product idly than any other left places, but because of small original economy amount and large population, its economy disparity from advanced areas is still great.
For example, in 1997, the GDP of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong was beyond or near to 6000 zillion Yuan, but Sichuan, lay in Middle China, was 4215 zillion Yuan, and Mongolia, Xinjiang was only 1000 zillion Yuan respectively. In 1999, The per person GDP of East China is beyond or close to 10,000 Yuan, for example, Shanghai is 25750 Yuan, Beijing is 16735 Yuan, Guandong is 10428 Yuan, per person, But which of Middle and West China is about 5000 Yuan and 4000 Yuan respectively.
4.1.8. Impact of sciences and technology on trade
At present, contribution rate of technology advance of Chinese aquatic culture have come to 48%, which is 6% higher than the average of Chinese agriculture, and sciences and technology exert a great effect to the development of Chinese aquatic culture and aquatic products’ trade.
The success and spread of artificial raising seedling and culture technology of Chinese prawn as well as scallop make the proportion of special aquatic products enlarge. The spread of technology of fishery by meshed box and intensive cultivation in fresh water pond enhanced the per unit area yield. The technology of temporary cultivation of sea fish and prawn by artificial seawater as well as vivid-package technology in transportation were prevailed, which made the demand of seafood, in southwest, northwest as well as northeast area, to move upward.
In a word, along with the development of Chinese macro-economy, the total GDP and per personal consumption of China are gradually increasing. And especially with the ceaseless exploitation of Middle and Western area, the demand of aquatic products in China will rise with giant extent, and the trade of aquatic products inside and outside nation will experiences a large development. The economy of middle and west China is still lagged much, so the consumption of the common and productive aquatic products still prevails there.
4.2. Produce of Chinese aquatic products will take a stable development
The below table 15, is a long period forecast of yield. of Chinese aquatic products
|
Item |
Statistical year |
Total output |
#1 Marine products |
Marine capture |
marine culture |
#2 |
Freshwater fishing |
Freshwater culture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1997 |
3601 |
2176 |
1385 |
791 |
1452 |
188 |
1236 |
|
|
1998 |
3906 |
2356 |
1496 |
860 |
1549 |
228 |
1321 |
|
|
1999 |
4122 |
2472 |
1498 |
974 |
1650 |
228 |
1422 |
|
|
Forecast |
2000 |
4278 |
2490 |
1480 |
1010 |
1788 |
275 |
1513 |
|
2005 |
4520 |
2560 |
1480 |
1080 |
1960 |
310 |
1650 |
|
|
2010 |
4740 |
2640 |
1490 |
1150 |
2100 |
350 |
1750 |
|
|
2015 |
4950 |
2660 |
1490 |
1170 |
2290 |
390 |
1900 |
|
|
2020 |
5130 |
2680 |
1500 |
1180 |
2450 |
450 |
2000 |
|
|
2025 |
5310 |
2690 |
1500 |
1190 |
2620 |
520 |
2100 |
|
|
2030 |
5500 |
2700 |
1500 |
1200 |
2800 |
600 |
2200 |
|
|
Data resource: Partial Results from Research Task “middle-long period forecast of yield of Chinese aquatic products” achieved by Shanghai Fisheries University Subsidized by FAO |
||||||||
As is shown in the above forecast: Between 2020 and 2030, because the Chinese population comes to 1.6 billion and per personal consumption of aquatic products attains from 30 to 40 Kg, domestic supply of aquatic products will not be able to meet the end. As a result, the trade of import aquatic products will be important.
4.3. Consumption of aquatic products will take a important status in Chinese residents’ structure
4.3.1. Relation between residents’ nutrition level and consumption of aquatic products
Along with the ceaseless rise up of people’s living level, people ask for improving the food structure and enhancing the nutrition level, and the low fat, high protein food is aquatic product anticipated more and more. One character of the change of Chinese food structure is to increase the consumption of fish and other aquatic products. Aquatic products’ protein, as animal protein, is an excellent one, and can be absorbed easily by human. Aquatic products contain mineral, carbohydrate, vitamin and some other nutrition ingredients, so it made a great contribution to people’s health.
By prospect, in 2000, main nutrition daily supply per person of all China will close to the average of moderately developed country, whose need the quantity of heat is 2600 calorie, fat 80 gram, protein 80 gram, among which the proportion of excellent protein is about one thirds. (Material resource: Chinese agriculture department, progress report of Chinese agriculture, 1996), and this level is equal to the time when Japan and other countries and areas complete the industrialization, beyond present average nutrition level of world. This evaluation means that the consumption of aquatic products in china will take a farther increment.
4.3.2. Development tendency of consumption structure of China
There are some common phenomena and general rules during the procession of industrialization of each nation, and the improvement of construction of consumption is not out of the exception. The start situation of industrialization in China has lots of likeness with Japanese and Asia “four little dragon”, and whose experiences will provide with great reference on analysis of future Chinese consumption structure.
Industrialization has been completed in Japan in 1970, Korea in 1985, and Taiwan in 1985, by using the era characteristic of Japan and four little tigers for reference and integrating China’s situation, we can deduce the future consumption structure of Chinese residents (shown as table 16,17). We can find aqua-product is important in the consumption structure.
|
Food |
Clothing |
Family instrument |
Health & care |
Transportation |
Education, |
Residence |
Others |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
40% |
12.3% |
11% |
3% |
7% |
14% |
8% |
4.7% |
100% |
Data resource:District and development page 124~126.
|
Grain |
Meat |
Eggs |
Vegetable oil |
Aquatic products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
194kg |
35 kg |
15 kg |
10 kg |
20kg |
Data resource: District and Development page 124~126.
4.3.3 Consumption in China will transfer to aquatic products with good quality and high price
Relate food consumption and Taiwan economic development, three periods will be divided (according to Change analysis on demand and consumption structure of agriculture product in Chinese Taiwan, Agriculture Development Forum):
(1) Substitute period of staple food (1964-1974), with US$189-853 of national income per aquatic product in China and 28.20-34.25Kg per aquatic product in China of aquatic products consumption. Growth rate reach 2.23%.
(2) Substitute period of staple and non-staple food (1975-1984), with US$890-2890 of national income per aquatic product in China and 35.56-39.09Kg per aquatic product in China of aquatic products consumption. Growth rate reach 0.41%; Slower the increasing amount of aquatic product consumption, improve the quality of aquatic product consumption.
(3) Period of nearing saturation (1985-1990), with US$2992-7332 of national income per cap. The consumption of aquatic product reaches 38.41-47.43Kg per cap and the growth ratio reaches 5.43% in China..
Due to the similar consumption habit between Taiwan and Mainland, track of Taiwanese aquatic product consumption can reflect the basic tendency of mainland. That is to say, with the improving of Chinese resident income level, aquatic consumption will transfer to fish with good quality and high price, meantime, seafood consumption will improve too.
4.4. Import and export trade of Chinese aquatic product moves forward
4.4.1 Analysis on export
(1) Development of Chinese fisheries production has considerably promoted development of import and export trade in aquatic product.
(2) Cooperation in fisheries economic technology between China and other countries widen increasingly. It improves the competitive power of Chinese export aquatic product in international marker.
(3) Fisheries in Japan and Korea and other developed countries have declined, however, the demand for aquatic product tends to increase in Japan, Korea, EU and US. It can be rewarded to export of china’s aquatic product.
(4) Employment problem in china’s fisheries will be benefited from them, for export can increase employment.
4.4.2 Analysis on import
(1) There is big increase in income and living level of urban and rural residents, which has increased the total demand of aquatic product, especially for food full of protein.
(2) China has great potential demand of aquatic product because of great population.
(3) Domestic output of yellow croaker, hairtail fish, silvery pomfret maintains decreased. To meet the consumption demand, China will continue importing traditional aquatic product. At the same time, aquatic product infrequent or void in China will be imported. Using import to reinforce domestic market and enrich food consumption market of urban and rural areas in China.
(4) The import of aqua-product will relieve the need of food. According to some research, how to supply enough food will be the most important problem of Chinese development, for the population of China will reach 1.6 billion in the middle of 21 century. So the production of rice and meat become very important and the aqua-product is one of resource of animal protein. The import of aqua-product will do more in supplying food and increasing the people’s health.
All the analysis reveals that the import and export trade will tend to be increased.
Back to Top of Page5. Effect on China’s fisheries and trade by entrance of WTO
5.1 Entrance to WTO will bring brand-new developing opportunity to China’s fisheries
Bilateral pact about China’s entrance to WTO subscribed by China and US in November, 1999 have flattened the road. The core of WTO’s rule is decreasing trade limitation, widening market entrance to achieve free trade throughout the globe. Both opportunities and challenges are confronted for China’s fisheries while facing WTO. However, opportunities are more than challenges in a long-term.
5.1.1 It will be benefited to achieve diversifying of export market. After entering WTO, China will be treated as most-favored-nation who can enjoy unlimited multilateral trade, which will promote foreign trade of aqua-product.
5.1.2 It will be benefited to adjust the structure of domestic fisheries and aqua-product’s import and export. Import product of intensive resource and export product of intensive labor. Contrasting to the cost in developed countries, China’s aqua-product has relative advantage.
5.1.3. It will be benefited to transfer operating mechanism and promote the change of growth mode of China’s fisheries. After entering WTO, fisheries companies’ competitive power will be strengthened by improving the linking between domestic production and international market and introducing into external competitive mechanism widely.
5.1.4. It will be benefited to widen opening to external. After entering WTO, according to international rules, we can quicken the law construction in fisheries industry and optimize the investing environment. It also benefits attracting foreign capital and striving for favorable loan.
5.1.5. Customs will be reduced after entering WTO, we can import some aquatic product with low price or lacking of relative advantage, It will be used to relieve the lack of supply caused by the wither of domestic fisheries resource. It can enrich the variety and improve market supply of fisheries.
5.1.6. We can enjoy the benefit of international division of labor adequately to promote the efficiency and rationalization of domestic structure of fisheries industry. At the same time we need adjust the structure of fisheries trade effectively, suitable to the adjusting of fisheries industry structure.
5.2 Adverse factors and austere challenges for China’s fisheries if entering WTO
After entering WTO, China will join the progress of economic globalization, it can make China’s domestic market become international market authentically. Economic globalization is the tendency of modern economic development, it will impact the economy of each country, especially for developing countries. It also can bring challenges to China’s fisheries while we enjoy the treatment of fair trade and the benefit of trade freedom.
5.2.1. After entering WTO, with the decrease of Customs and non-tariff barrier, the competitive advantage of China’s aqua-product will be influenced. Aqua-product from fisheries-developed countries will swarm into China’s market largely and impact domestic aqua-product market.
5.2.2. After entering WTO, we will widen the entering limitation of international Capital market, open trade operating right, and abandon some rights like agriculture product export allowance, China’s fisheries companies may be at a disadvantage when they competed with foreign companies.
5.2.3. After entering WTO, with the entrance of fisheries companies who obtain international high-tech, it will strengthen to impact domestic companies, especially to domestic aqua-product processing companies.
5.3 Countermeasure analysis to WTO
5.3.1. With the development of economic globalization, enterprise should bring active tactic into effect in many region, bring the more international and domestic resource of aquatic product in management, enlarge the space of subsistence and development, make full use of international and domestic aquatic product, establish and expand inside-outside-fishery.
5.3.2. The structure of aquatic product should be adjusted the new and better aquatic product should be greatly developed.
5.3.3. Quicken the creation of system, according to modern enterprise system, the circulation should be founded
5.3.4. Strengthen the build of aquatic produce and process base connect the familial manufacture. With immense enterprise, take aquatic product art in world market, bring industrial management into effect
5.3.5. According to the international market needs and development, aquatic nutritional product Should be developed. And process product enlarge the share of process aquatic product
5.3.6. Pay attention to net and make the best of it, and establish the imports and exports info system of aquatic-products. Through the net, adjust industrial direction, research and seize the development of international aquatic market, understand its needs, exploit international market. Though E—business or EDI, the net sell shell do good to the development of aquatic product.
5.3.7. Actively pushed HACCP system, for boosting the quality of aquatic, correlative foreign traded enterprise should put some statute in practice to standard the product、process、management of aquatic.
5.3.8. Some WTO’s item about protection should be exploit and grasped to protect Chinese fishery and the market of aquatic by the use of anti-dumping、anti-unjustness item. Faced to WTO, fishery economic must change its increases mode ,prevent crude 、 resource-wasted and environment-polluted increases. High efficient fishery earn foreign exchange fishery should be established ,accelerate the modernization of fishery ,enhance the fishery’s economic efficiency. The imports and exports of aquatic should be developed by rebuilding the traditional industrial with the high-tech ;manufacturing high quality green products ; Maintaining the brand of aquatic. Faced to WTO, the every level government should build up some statutes to connect with international. The problem of Chinese uniform market must be solved by preventing them. Based on the great achievement of aquatic market, relative department should build up ‘market law’ to rule the domestic and international management. With the efficiency of product and management, we can confront WTO’s challenge. (September 2, 2000)