We published a story in the October 2006 Seafood Market Bulletin detailing the sharp decline in exports of frozen sockeye to Japan. At that point, August was the most recent foreign trade data available. As of this report, foreign trade data is now available through November, but there is no substantial change in the crux of the story. Japan received a small volume of U.S. frozen sockeye between September and November 2006 (1,156 MT) But the percentage of Alaska frozen sockeye production exported to Japan remains very low; 36 percent through November 2006 compared to 80 percent through November 2005.

In fact, the sharp decline in Alaska sockeye exports to Japan has unseated Japan as the top export destination for U.S. salmon. Through November, U.S. Salmon export value shows European Union as the highest-value export destination for U.S. Salmon, totaling $161 million. Japan trails significantly (by 17 percent) with $134 million. Although European Union is now the top export destination it is mostly by virtue of Japan's decline in receipts of U.S. sockeye exports rather than remarkable growth in EU receipts of Alaska salmon.

Total Jan-Nov 2006 value of U.S. Salmon exports to Japan is just $134 million, down 44 percent from $238 million in calendar year 2005. Some additional receipts of U.S. Salmon are anticipated, but the 5-year average value for December is only $2.2 million.

EU imports of U.S. Salmon total $161 million for Jan-Nov 2006, just 2 percent below the calendar year 2005 total of $165 million. Total value of 2006 U.S. Salmon exports to EU is expected to be over $170 million, as 5-year average value for December is $10.5 million.

European Union countries have long been regarded as a canned salmon export destination. However, the steady growth in value of U.S. salmon imported by EU countries appears to be from fresh and frozen products. Canned salmon share of value dropped from 60 percent in 2002 to 46 percent through November 2006.