June 11, 2004
China's Farmed Eels Account for about 70% of Global Eel Production
An eFeedLink Exclusive Report
According to the latest statistics from China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Association, China accounts for 70% of the 230,000 tons of eel produced globally every year.
Eel farming in China is mainly concentrated in the coastal regions such as Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Inland regions like Jiangxi and Guizhou have also started eel farming.
Eel farming, feed production, processing of commercial eels and the establishment of a systematic industry have provided employment for more than 120,000 people, and generated annual income of as much as RMB 26 billion. In 2002, eel farming took up more than 10,000 hectares in area; 168,000 tons of eels were produced, and 76,500 tons exported, generating US$63,600 of export revenue.
Japan is a major eel consumer. The country consumes 130,000-140,000 tons of eels annually, of which 110,000-120,000 tons are imported. China exports 100,000 tons of eels to Japan. Now that the Japanese market for eel is beginning to saturate, more effort will be directed at opening up new markets in South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, Europe, US and Canada.
Advancement in farming technology in recent years has resulted in higher survival rates for the eels. Production cost per kilogram for commercial eels in China and Taiwan registered 45-53 yen/kg and 53-70 yen/kg respectively. In Japan, the production cost was as high as 150 yen/kg.
China holds a substantial share in the global eel market. Of the global eel trade of 130,000-140,000 tons annually, China accounts for 100,000-110,000 tons, or 80% of the market share. Moreover, China commands over 85% of the barbecued eel market in Japan. Taiwan and Europe account for 15,000-20,000 tons and 10,000-15,000 tons respectively.
At present, China's eel exports are facing a major crisis. The country's commercial eel products have been found to contain drug residues and harmful substances. In 2002, Japan discovered 11 types of residual drugs in the braised eels and plain roasted eels imported from China.