SURIMI: market report December 2007

摘要

This article examines the markets for surimi in the EU. Surimi consumption in the EU reached 132 200 Mt in 2006. The main EU markets for surimi raw material for processing are France, Lithuania and Spain while the main markets for surimi products for final consumption are Spain, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. Surimi products are available in various forms: imitation crabmeat sticks, lobster tail, imitations, lobster claw and crab claw meat, fish ham and sausages, fish cakes, breaded, mixed with cheese, with tuna, salmon etc. Overall, in 2006, the largest consumer of surimi products in the EU was France, followed by Spain and Italy. Raw material imports in January-September 2007 compared to that of the same period in 2006 was lower for France by 15%, higher for Lithuania by 30% and lower for Spain by -4%. Imports of surimi products in the January-September 2007 period in comparison with the same period in 2006 were steady for Spain and comparable for Italy. In an otherwise mature seafood market such as the EU, surimi still has potential for expansion. Product development and alternative raw material sourcing are essential to keep the expansion going.