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On August 24, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) suspended all imports of aquatic products (including edible aquatic animals) from Japan, effective immediately.

Seafood is an important staple in Ghanaian cuisine as it accounts for 60 percent of animal protein intake with an estimated per capita consumption rate of 26 kg. U.S. seafood sales to Ghana recently experienced a boost in sales, however, sustained seafood exports from the U.S. are at risk due to the Government of Ghana’s (GOG) recent announcement to increase the tax 1,573 percent per metric ton on frozen seafood.

Spain is one of the largest markets worldwide for fish and seafood. In 2022, Spain was the fourth largest importer of fish and seafood in the world after the United States, China, and Japan.

Since the Netherlands lifted all COVID-19 related restrictions at the end of February 2022 and most people returned to the workplace, new opportunities continue to emerge for U.S. agricultural products. Consumers are especially interested in healthier, more convenient, nutritious, and high-quality products.

Japan is one of the world’s leading consumers of seafood. In 2022, it imported $15 billion of seafood products, making it the world’s third largest importer. Half of Japan’s seafood demand is met by imports. The United States is the third largest seafood supplier to Japan, specializing in salmon, cod, pollock, herring, crab, and lobster.

On February 24, 2023, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an order pertaining to FSSAI Order TIC-20012/2021-IMPORTS-FSSAI (E2475), extending the compliance date for a third time for Imports of Milk, Pork, and Fish Products.

Taiwan’s overall seafood imports reached US$2.1 billion in 2022, up 20 percent from 2021, with imports from the United States decreasing slightly to US$32 million.

China remained the world's largest seafood producer in 2022, with production expected to reach 67.5 million metric tons (MMT), up from the 66.9 MMT in 2021. Production growth continues to be driven by aquaculture which is expected to increase 1.2 percent year-on-year to reach 54.6 MMT in 2022.

On January 10, 2023, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an order pertaining to FSSAI Order TIC-20012/2/2021-IMPORTS-FSSAI (E-2475), extending for a second time, the effective compliance date.

This report outlines Philippine government requirements for the importation of fishery and seafood products. The report aims to assist U.S. exporters by providing information on labeling, packaging, permitted ingredients, and other relevant information. It also provides points of contact for key Philippine government authorities.

On November 26, 2020, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock enacted the Fisheries and Fisheries (Inspection and Quality Control) Act 2020 to enforce new laws reflecting the repealed provision of the Fish and Fish Products (Inspection and Quality Control) Ordinance 1983.

On November 14, 2018, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock enacted the Fish Quarantine Act 2018 which issues provisions regarding pathogens and quarantine of fish and fish products. The Act covers the fish quarantine authority; import permits, controls, restrictions, bans, and detentions; and fish pathogen restrictions and elimination.