Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 11/10/2004

**GAIN Report Number:** FR4061

FR4061

**France**

**Fishery Products**

**Annual**

**2004**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Kurt Seifarth

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Marie-Cécile Hénard

**Report Highlights:**

France is a net importer and a major consumer of seafood products in
Europe. In 2003, the best export opportunities for U.S. seafood were
Alaska Pollock fillets, surimi base, lobster, scallops and salmon. The
U.S. is France\'s leading supplier of surimi base, which is further
processed in France. It competes with prepared surimi products
principally and increasingly imported from Lithuania, where the largest
European surimi products factory is based. In 2004, French salmon
consumption and imports were negatively affected by press linking
farm-raised salmon and cancer risk. U.S. lobster remains a premium
seasonal product on the French market, and U.S. scallops are
increasingly used by the food industry in prepared meals.

Includes PSD Changes: Yes

Includes Trade Matrix: Yes

Unscheduled Report

Paris \[FR1\]

\[FR\]

Table of Contents

[**Executive Summary 3**](#executive-summary)

[Situation and Outlook 3](#situation-and-outlook)

[Statistical Tables 5](#statistical-tables)

[PS&D Tables 5](#psd-tables)

[Trade Matrices 10](#trade-matrices)

[Salmon 10](#salmon)

[Lobster 13](#lobster)

[Dogfish 17](#dogfish)

[Tariff Tables 18](#tariff-tables)

[Production, Supply and Demand 21](#production-supply-and-demand)

[Production 21](#production)

[Total Fishery Products 21](#total-fishery-products)

[Canned Fishery Products 22](#canned-fishery-products)

[Salmon 22](#salmon-1)

[Groundfish 22](#groundfish)

[Lobster 23](#lobster-1)

[Scallops 23](#scallops)

[Surimi 23](#surimi)

[Monkfish and Dogfish 24](#monkfish-and-dogfish)

[Consumption 24](#consumption)

[Total Fishery Products 24](#total-fishery-products-1)

[Salmon 26](#salmon-2)

[General 26](#general)

[Crisis of early 2004 27](#crisis-of-early-2004)

[Smoked salmon 27](#smoked-salmon)

[Groundfish fillets 27](#groundfish-fillets)

[Lobster 27](#lobster-2)

[Scallops 28](#scallops-1)

[Surimi 28](#surimi-1)

[Trade 28](#trade)

[Salmon 29](#salmon-3)

[Groundfish Fillets 29](#groundfish-fillets-1)

[Lobster 29](#lobster-3)

[Scallops 30](#scallops-2)

[Surimi 30](#surimi-2)

[Policy 30](#policy)

[Salmon 30](#salmon-4)

[Marketing 31](#marketing)

[Trade Shows 31](#trade-shows)

[U.S. Seafood Cooperators in France
32](#u.s.-seafood-cooperators-in-france)

# Executive Summary

France is a net importer and a major consumer of seafood products in
Europe. In 2003, the best export opportunities for U.S. seafood products
to France were for Alaska Pollock fillets, surimi base, lobster,
scallops and salmon. The U.S. is France\'s leading supplier of surimi
base, which is further processed in France. It competes with prepared
surimi products principally and increasingly imported from Lithuania,
where the largest European surimi factory is based. In 2004, French
salmon consumption and imports were negatively affected by press linking
farm-raised salmon and cancer risk. U.S. lobster remains a premium
seasonal product on the French market, and U.S. scallops are
increasingly used by the food industry in prepared meals.

# Situation and Outlook 

France is a net importer of fishery products, because domestic
production (including wild catch and aquaculture) is significantly lower
than demand. France is a good market for seafood. With a large
population (62 million) and high per capita consumption, French demand
cannot be satisfied by domestic production. French per capita
consumption is estimated at 27.5 kg per year, average EU per capita
consumption is 23.4 kg and average world per capita consumption is 16.1
kg per year.

In 2003, France's trade deficit for fishery products was 530,456 MT, or
2,125 million euros. The United States was France's leading seafood
supplier after European countries: the United Kingdom, Norway, Spain,
Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark.

As indicated in the graph below, the main categories of seafood products
imported by France from the United States in 2003 were surimi base,
frozen Alaska pollack fillets, and frozen salmon.

![](media/image68.wmf)

In 2003, French imports of Alaskan Pollock fillets fell back to 2001
levels, as a result of the return of Chinese and Russian product. During
the first seven months of 2004, French imports of Alaskan Pollock from
the United States and of Chinese product increased, at the expense of
Russian product.

France is the largest European consumer of surimi, and the French surimi
processing industry has significantly increased its production capacity
in the past ten years to meet booming domestic demand. The United States
is, by far, France's leading supplier of surimi base, which is mainly
made from Alaskan Pollock. Surimi base is processed, flavored and
packaged in France by French companies. U.S. product indirectly competes
with prepared surimi products imported by France form Lithuania, where
the largest EU surimi processor is based.

France is the largest European market for salmon, which is the French
consumer's favorite fish. France is a mature and saturated market for
salmon. Norway, Scotland and Ireland are the main suppliers of
farm-raised salmon. This product competes with wild Alaska salmon. Price
and supply seasonality are the drawbacks of Alaska salmon compared to
farm-raised European salmon. In 2004, the image of salmon was
significantly hurt by the publication of an article in Science magazine
concluding that farm-raised salmon presents cancer risk to consumers. As
a result, both domestic consumption and imports declined in the first
half of the year.

The United States is, by far, France's leading supplier of live/fresh
lobster, while Canada is France's number one supplier of frozen lobster.
Rock lobster is provided mainly by Cuba and the Bahamas. Lobster and
rock lobster are considered festive products and their consumption is
seasonal in France, most of it taking place during the Holiday season in
December. The HRI sector consumes most of the lobster products imported.

The increase in U.S. exports of frozen scallops started in 2001 and
continued in 2002 and 2003. During the first seven months of 2004, U.S.
exports to France were slightly down to their 2002 levels. Also,
scallops from the East coast are increasingly available and therefore
more price-competitive on the French market. There is potential for
growth of U.S. market share for scallops on the French market.

Note: Websites of interest on the French fishery sector:

[http://www.ofimer.fr]{.underline}

OFIMER is the French seafood board. Its website contains economic data
on French fishery production, consumption and trade.

[http://www.agriculture.gouv.fr]{.underline}

The website of the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and
Rural Affairs contains general information on French fisheries.

# Statistical Tables

## PS&D Tables

+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| **PSD |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| Ta    |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ble** |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| *     | **Fra |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| *Coun | nce** |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| try** |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| **C   | **Sa  |        |        |        | (MT)   |        |        |
| ommod | lmon, |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ity** | Who   |        |        |        |        |        |        |
|       | le/** |        |        |        |        |        |        |
|       |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
|       | **Evi |        |        |        |        |        |        |
|       | scera |        |        |        |        |        |        |
|       | ted** |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|       | 2002  | R      | 2003   | Es     | 2004   | Fo     | UOM    |
|       |       | evised |        | timate |        | recast |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|       | USDA  | Post   | USDA   | Post   | USDA   | Post   |        |
|       | Off   | Es     | Of     | Es     | Of     | Es     |        |
|       | icial | timate | ficial | timate | ficial | timate |        |
|       | \[    | \      | \      | \      | \      | \      |        |
|       | Old\] | [New\] | [Old\] | [New\] | [Old\] | [New\] |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| **M   |       | 0      |        | 0      |        | 0      | M      |
| arket |       | 1/2002 |        | 1/2003 |        | 1/2004 | M/YYYY |
| Year  |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| Be    |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| gin** |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Begi  | 32000 | 32000  | 31000  | 31000  | 31000  | 31000  | (MT)   |
| nning |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| S     |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| tocks |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Total | 10    | 8      | 10     | 8      | 0      | 8      | (MT)   |
| Produ |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ction |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Int   | 92400 | 44490  | 92400  | 43389  | 0      | 41000  | (MT)   |
| ra-EC |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| Im    |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ports |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Other | 8300  | 53741  | 8300   | 59194  | 0      | 58000  | (MT)   |
| Im    |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ports |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| TOTAL | 1     | 98231  | 100700 | 102583 | 0      | 99000  | (MT)   |
| Im    | 00700 |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ports |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| TOTAL | 1     | 130239 | 131710 | 133591 | 31000  | 130008 | (MT)   |
| S     | 32710 |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| UPPLY |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Int   | 6000  | 7494   | 5500   | 8647   | 0      | 8000   | (MT)   |
| ra-EC |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| Ex    |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ports |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Other | 500   | 354    | 500    | 359    | 0      | 350    | (MT)   |
| Ex    |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ports |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| TOTAL | 6500  | 7848   | 6000   | 9006   | 0      | 8350   | (MT)   |
| Ex    |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ports |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Dom   | 91210 | 87391  | 90710  | 89585  | 0      | 86658  | (MT)   |
| estic |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| C     |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| onsum |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ption |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Other | 4000  | 4000   | 4000   | 4000   | 0      | 4000   | (MT)   |
| Use   |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| /Loss |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| TOTAL | 95210 | 91391  | 94710  | 93585  | 0      | 90658  | (MT)   |
| U     |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| tiliz |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| ation |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| E     | 31000 | 31000  | 31000  | 31000  | 31000  | 31000  | (MT)   |
| nding |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| S     |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| tocks |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| TOTAL | 1     | 130239 | 131710 | 133591 | 31000  | 130008 | (MT)   |
| DI    | 32710 |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| STRIB |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| UTION |       |        |        |        |        |        |        |
+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+

Sources: MinAg, French Customs

  --------------- --------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
  **PSD Table**                                                                          

  **Country**     **France**                                                             

  **Commodity**   **Groundfish,                                    (MT)                  
                  Fillets**                                                              

                  2002            Revised    2003       Estimate   2004       Forecast   UOM

                  USDA Official   Post       USDA       Post       USDA       Post       
                  \[Old\]         Estimate   Official   Estimate   Official   Estimate   
                                  \[New\]    \[Old\]    \[New\]    \[Old\]    \[New\]    

  **Market Year                   01/2002               01/2003               01/2004    MM/YYYY
  Begin**                                                                                

  Beginning       1000            1000       1000       1000       1000       1000       (MT)
  Stocks                                                                                 

  Total           33000           38000      33000      35000      0          35000      (MT)
  Production                                                                             

  Intra-EC        85000           48291      85000      51291      0          53000      (MT)
  Imports                                                                                

  Other Imports   82000           108492     82000      118563     0          120000     (MT)

  TOTAL Imports   167000          156783     167000     169854     0          173000     (MT)

  TOTAL SUPPLY    201000          195783     201000     205854     1000       209000     (MT)

  Intra-EC        12000           13382      12000      12914      0          15000      (MT)
  Exports                                                                                

  Other Exports   1000            962        1000       959        0          1000       (MT)

  TOTAL Exports   13000           14344      13000      13873      0          16000      (MT)

  Domestic        186000          179439     186000     189981     0          191000     (MT)
  Consumption                                                                            

  Other Use/Loss  1000            1000       1000       1000       0          1000       (MT)

  TOTAL           187000          180439     187000     190981     0          192000     (MT)
  Utilization                                                                            

  Ending Stocks   1000            1000       1000       1000       1000       1000       (MT)

  TOTAL           201000          195783     201000     205854     1000       209000     (MT)
  DISTRIBUTION                                                                           
  --------------- --------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------

Sources: MinAg, French Customs

  --------------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
  **PSD Table**                                                                        

  **Country**     **France**                                                           

  **Commodity**   **Lobster**                                    (MT)                  

                  2002          Revised    2003       Estimate   2004       Forecast   UOM

                  USDA Official Post       USDA       Post       USDA       Post       
                  \[Old\]       Estimate   Official   Estimate   Official   Estimate   
                                \[New\]    \[Old\]    \[New\]    \[Old\]    \[New\]    

  **Market Year                 01/2002               01/2003               01/2004    MM/YYYY
  Begin**                                                                              

  Beginning       100           100        100        100        100        100        (MT)
  Stocks                                                                               

  Total           405           356        405        377        0          370        (MT)
  Production                                                                           

  Intra-EC        2900          2219       2900       1782       0          1850       (MT)
  Imports                                                                              

  Other Imports   5900          6179       5900       6593       0          6500       (MT)

  TOTAL Imports   8800          8398       8800       8375       0          8350       (MT)

  TOTAL SUPPLY    9305          8854       9305       8852       100        8820       (MT)

  Intra-EC        1100          522        1100       529        0          520        (MT)
  Exports                                                                              

  Other Exports   330           365        330        338        0          320        (MT)

  TOTAL Exports   1430          887        1430       867        0          840        (MT)

  Domestic        7775          7867       7775       7885       0          7880       (MT)
  Consumption                                                                          

  Other Use/Loss  0             0          0          0          0          0          (MT)

  TOTAL           7775          7867       7775       7885       0          7880       (MT)
  Utilization                                                                          

  Ending Stocks   100           100        100        100        0          100        (MT)

  TOTAL           9305          8854       9305       8852       0          8820       (MT)
  DISTRIBUTION                                                                         
  --------------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------

Sources: MinAg, French Customs

  --------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
  **PSD Table**                                                                         

  **Country**     **France**                                                            

  **Commodity**   **Scallops**                                    (MT)                  

                  2002           Revised    2003       Estimate   2004       Forecast   UOM

                  USDA Official  Post       USDA       Post       USDA       Post       
                  \[Old\]        Estimate   Official   Estimate   Official   Estimate   
                                 \[New\]    \[Old\]    \[New\]    \[Old\]    \[New\]    

  **Market Year                  01/2002               01/2003               01/2004    MM/YYYY
  Begin**                                                                               

  Beginning       1500           1500       1500       1500       1500       1500       (MT)
  Stocks                                                                                

  Total           2300           20108      2300       18250      0          20000      (MT)
  Production                                                                            

  Intra-EC        9200           5517       9200       5661       0          5500       (MT)
  Imports                                                                               

  Other Imports   8200           11394      8200       13695      0          15500      (MT)

  TOTAL Imports   17400          16911      17400      19356      0          21000      (MT)

  TOTAL SUPPLY    21200          38519      21200      39106      1500       42500      (MT)

  Intra-EC        4500           5237       4500       5401       0          5400       (MT)
  Exports                                                                               

  Other Exports   150            171        150        49         0          50         (MT)

  TOTAL Exports   4650           5408       4650       5450       0          5450       (MT)

  Domestic        15040          31601      15040      32146      0          35540      (MT)
  Consumption                                                                           

  Other Use/Loss  10             10         10         10         0          10         (MT)

  TOTAL           15050          31611      15050      32156      0          35550      (MT)
  Utilization                                                                           

  Ending Stocks   1500           1500       1500       1500       0          1500       (MT)

  TOTAL           21200          38519      21200      39106      0          42500      (MT)
  DISTRIBUTION                                                                          

                                                                                        
  --------------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------

Sources: MinAg, French Customs

  --------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
  **PSD Table**                                                                       

  **Country**     **France**                                                          

  **Commodity**   **Surimi**                                    (MT)                  

                  2002         Revised    2003       Estimate   2004       Forecast   UOM

                  USDA         Post       USDA       Post       USDA       Post       
                  Official     Estimate   Official   Estimate   Official   Estimate   
                  \[Old\]      \[New\]    \[Old\]    \[New\]    \[Old\]    \[New\]    

  **Market Year                01/2002               01/2003               01/2004    MM/YYYY
  Begin**                                                                             

  Beginning       0            0          0          0          0          0          (MT)
  Stocks                                                                              

  Total           0            2000       0          2500       0          2500       (MT)
  Production                                                                          

  Intra-EC        0            62         0          140        0          150        (MT)
  Imports                                                                             

  Other Imports   0            14762      0          14912      0          15000      (MT)

  TOTAL Imports   0            14824      0          15052      0          15150      (MT)

  TOTAL SUPPLY    0            16824      0          17552      0          17650      (MT)

  Intra-EC        0            545        0          236        0          250        (MT)
  Exports                                                                             

  Other Exports   0            14         0          5          0          5          (MT)

  TOTAL Exports   0            559        0          241        0          255        (MT)

  Domestic        0            0          0          0          0          0          (MT)
  Consumption                                                                         

  Other Use/Loss  0            16265      0          17311      0          17395      (MT)

  TOTAL           0            16265      0          17311      0          17395      (MT)
  Utilization                                                                         

  Ending Stocks   0            0          0          0          0          0          (MT)

  TOTAL           0            16824      0          17552      0          17650      (MT)
  DISTRIBUTION                                                                        
  --------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------

Sources: ADISUR, French Customs

Note: Data in this PS&D table are for surimi base, not prepared surimi
products.

## Trade Matrices

Trade data were revised from previous reports, in which they were based
from Eurostat data. In the current report, they are sourced from French
Customs.

### Salmon

  ----------------- --------------------------- --------------- ----------
  **Import Trade                                                
  Matrix**                                                      

  **Country**       France                                      

  **Commodity**     Salmon, Whole/Eviscerated                   

  Time Period       Jan-Dec                     Units:          MT

  Imports for:      2002                                        **2003**

  U.S.              7185                        U.S.            6392

  Others                                        Others          

  Norway            43210                       Norway          48715

  UK                25794                       UK              29220

  Ireland           9711                        Ireland         6318

  Denmark           5565                        Denmark         4994

  Faroe Islands     2050                        Faroe Islands   2839

  Spain             1113                        Spain           905

  Total for Others  87443                                       92991

  Others not Listed 3603                                        3200

  Grand Total       98231                                       102583
  ----------------- --------------------------- --------------- ----------

  ----------------- --------------------------- --------------- ----------
  **Export Trade                                                
  Matrix**                                                      

  **Country**       France                                      

  **Commodity**     Salmon, Whole/Eviscerated                   

  Time Period       Jan-Dec                     Units:          MT

  Exports for:      2002                                        **2003**

  U.S.              0                           U.S.            0

  Others                                        Others          

  Spain             4190                        Spain           4676

  Belgium           1098                        Belgium         1382

                                                                 

                                                                 

                                                                 

  Total for Others  5288                                        6058

  Others not Listed 2560                                        2948

  Grand Total       7848                                        9006
  ----------------- --------------------------- --------------- ----------

**Source: French Customs**

Groundfish Fillets

  ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------
  **Import Trade                                              
  Matrix**                                                    

  **Country**         France                                  

  **Commodity**       Groundfish, Fillets                     

  Time Period         Jan-Dec               Units:            MT

  Imports for:        2002                                    **2003**

  U.S.                18418                 U.S.              12018

  Others                                    Others            

  Germany             14317                 China             19956

  China               13539                 Iceland           13109

  Iceland             12960                 Norway            11486

  Chile               9782                  Germany           11451

  Norway              8789                  Russia            9975

  Russia              8194                  Chile             9427

  UK                  7539                  UK                8805

  Netherlands         7067                  Denmark           8167

  Denmark             6966                  Netherlands       7860

  New Zealand         6183                  New Zealand       6686

  Total for Others    95336                                   106922

  Others not Listed   43029                                   50914

  Grand Total         156783                                  169854
  ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------

  ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------
  **Export Trade                                              
  Matrix**                                                    

  **Country**         France                                  

  **Commodity**       Groundfish, Fillets                     

  Time Period         Jan-Dec               Units:            MT

  Exports for:        2002                                    **2003**

  U.S.                0                     U.S.              0

  Others                                    Others            

  Germany             2958                  Germany           3454

  Belgium             2692                  Belgium           2588

  Italy               1601                  Italy             1832

  UK                  1400                  Spain             1482

  Spain               1297                  UK                1059

  Denmark             1032                                     

  Total for Others    10980                                   10415

  Others not Listed   3364                                    3458

  Grand Total         14344                                   13873
  ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------

Source: French Customs

French imports of Alaska Pollack frozen fillets and frozen meat:

+------------+-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
| French     | CY 2002   |              | CY 2003     |             |
| Imports    |           |              |             |             |
|            |           |              |             |             |
| Frozen     |           |              |             |             |
| Alaska     |           |              |             |             |
| Pollack    |           |              |             |             |
| (MT)       |           |              |             |             |
+------------+-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
|            | Frozen    | Frozen Meat  | Frozen      | Frozen Meat |
|            | Fillets   | (03049061)   | Fillets     | (03049061)  |
|            | (         |              | (03042085)  |             |
|            | 03042085) |              |             |             |
+------------+-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
| US         | 14890     | 2632         | 8020        | 2307        |
+------------+-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
| China      | 10870     | 849          | 15238       | 92          |
+------------+-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
| Russia     | 6035      | 295          | 7935        | 1756        |
+------------+-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
| Germany    | 5890      | 553          | 5401        | 608         |
+------------+-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
| Others     | 1461      | 10           | 2306        | 33          |
+------------+-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+
| Total      | 39146     | 4339         | 38900       | 4796        |
+------------+-----------+--------------+-------------+-------------+

Source: French Customs

### Lobster

  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------
  **Import Trade                                            
  Matrix**                                                  

  **Country**            France                             

  **Commodity**          Lobster                            

  Time Period            Jan-Dec        Units:              MT

  Imports for:           2002                               **2003**

  U.S.                   2008           U.S.                1779

  Others                                Others              

  Canada                 1725           Canada              1815

  Bahamas                874            Bahamas             1031

  UK                     735            UK                  719

  Cuba                   697            Cuba                695

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             

  Total for Others       4031                               4260

  Others not Listed      2359                               2336

  Grand Total            8398                               8375
  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------

  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------
  **Export Trade                                            
  Matrix**                                                  

  **Country**            France                             

  **Commodity**          Lobster                            

  Time Period            Jan-Dec        Units:              MT

  Exports for:           2002                               **2003**

  U.S.                   0              U.S.                0

  Others                                Others              

  Japan                  326            Japan               288

  Spain                  120            Spain               108

  Italy                  114            Italy               108

  Belgium                95             Belgium             106

                                                             

  Total for Others       655                                610

  Others not Listed      232                                257

  Grand Total            887                                867
  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------

Source: French Customs

**Scallops**

  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------
  **Import Trade                                            
  Matrix**                                                  

  **Country**            France                             

  **Commodity**          Scallops                           

  Time Period            Jan-Dec        Units:              MT

  Imports for:           2002                               **2003**

  U.S.                   1947           U.S.                1956

  Others                                Others              

  UK                     3289           UK                  4308

  Argentina              2237           Argentina           3008

  Canada                 1995           Canada              2512

  Chile                  1674           Chile               2412

  Peru                   996            Peru                1141

  Total for Others       10191                              13381

  Others not Listed      4773                               4019

  Grand Total            16911                              19356
  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------

  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------
  **Export Trade                                            
  Matrix**                                                  

  **Country**            France                             

  **Commodity**          Scallops                           

  Time Period            Jan-Dec        Units:              MT

  Exports for:           2002                               **2003**

  U.S.                   0              U.S.                0

  Others                                Others              

  Spain                  2641           Spain               2734

  Italy                  1630           Italy               1327

                                                             

                                                             

  Total for Others       4271                               4061

  Others not Listed      1137                               1389

  Grand Total            5408                               5450
  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------

Source: French Customs

Surimi

  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------
  **Import Trade                                            
  Matrix**                                                  

  **Country**            France                             

  **Commodity**          Surimi                             

  Time Period            Jan-Dec        Units:              MT

  Imports for:           2002                               **2003**

  U.S.                   10119          U.S.                9237

  Others                                Others              

  Chile                  3139           Lithuania           5001

  Lithuania              2594           Chile               4529

  Thailand               1510           Thailand            1498

  South Korea            1486           South Korea         954

  Total for Others       8729                               11982

  Others not Listed      2097                               1596

  Grand Total            20945                              22815
  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------

  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------
  **Export Trade                                            
  Matrix**                                                  

  **Country**            France                             

  **Commodity**          Surimi                             

  Time Period            Jan-Dec        Units:              MT

  Exports for:           2002                               **2003**

  U.S.                   0              U.S.                0

  Others                                Others              

  Spain                  1485           Spain               959

                                                             

  Total for Others       1485                               959

  Others not Listed      767                                614

  Grand Total            2252                               1573
  ---------------------- -------------- ------------------- --------------

Source: French Customs

French imports of surimi were broken down as follows in CY 2002 and CY
2003:

+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| French Imports of | S     |       | Pre   |       | Total |       |
| Surimi            | urimi |       | pared |       |       |       |
|                   | Base  |       | S     |       |       |       |
|                   |       |       | urimi |       |       |       |
|                   | 030   |       |       |       |       |       |
|                   | 49005 |       | 160   |       |       |       |
|                   |       |       | 42005 |       |       |       |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|                   | CY    | CY    | CY    | CY    | CY    | CY    |
|                   | 2002  | 2003  | 2002  | 2003  | 2002  | 2003  |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| United States     | 1     | 9,237 | 0     | 0     | 1     | 9,237 |
|                   | 0,115 |       |       |       | 0,115 |       |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Lithuania         | 0     | 0     | 2,594 | 5,001 | 2,594 | 5,001 |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Chile             | 3,139 | 4,529 | 0     | 0     | 3,139 | 4,529 |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Thailand          | 237   | 398   | 1,277 | 1,100 | 1,514 | 1,498 |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| South Korea       | 0     | 6     | 1,479 | 948   | 1,479 | 954   |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Argentina         | 586   | 434   | 0     | 0     | 586   | 434   |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| China             | 0     | 46    | 413   | 224   | 413   | 270   |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Belgium           | 25    | 12    | 116   | 214   | 141   | 226   |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Faroe Islands     | 0     | 173   | 0     | 0     | 0     | 173   |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Peru              | 368   | 84    | 0     | 0     | 368   | 84    |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Others            | 354   | 133   | 243   | 276   | 597   | 409   |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Total             | 1     | 1     | 6,122 | 7,763 | 2     | 2     |
|                   | 4,824 | 5,052 |       |       | 0,946 | 2,815 |
+-------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+

Source: French Customs

**Monkfish**

  ------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
  French Imports of Monkfish (Jan-Dec, MT)    2002          2003

  U.S.                                        1454          1508

  UK                                          3763          4335

  China                                       170           1454

  Brazil                                      423           624

  Ireland                                     666           551

  Others                                      864           1334

  Total                                       7340          9806
  ------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------

Source: French Customs

### Dogfish

  ------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
  French Imports of Dogfish (Jan-Dec, MT)     2002          2003

  U.S.                                        768           400

  Spain                                       578           954

  Canada                                      937           861

  UK                                          490           378

  Russia                                      174           283

  China                                       23            248

  New Zealand                                 313           248

  Ireland                                     236           243

  Others                                      995           1055

  Total                                       4514          4670
  ------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------

Source: French Customs

## Tariff Tables

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  Customs Codes Fresh/Frozen Whole    Tariffs 2003/2004
  Salmon                              

  03 02 12                            2

  03 02 19                            8

  03 03 11                            2

  03 03 19                            2

  03 03 22                            2

  03 03 29                            9
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Customs Codes                     | Tariffs 2003                      |
|                                   |                                   |
| Groundfish Fillets                |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 13                       | 2                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 15                       | 12                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 17                       | 12                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 19                       | 9                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 31                       | 18                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 33                       | 18                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 35                       | 18                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 38                       | 18                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 91                       | 8                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 97                       | (\*)                              |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 10 98                       | (\*)                              |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 13                       | 2                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 15                       | 12                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 17                       | 12                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 19                       | 9                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 21                       | 7.5                               |
|                                   |                                   |
| to 03 04 20 43                    |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 45                       | 18                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 51                       | 15                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 53                       | 15                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 55                       | 7.5                               |
|                                   |                                   |
| to 03 04 20 73                    |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 75                       | 15                                |
|                                   |                                   |
| to 03 04 20 85                    |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 87                       | 7.5                               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 88                       | 15                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 91                       | 7.5                               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 94                       | 15(\*\*)                          |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

(\*) Jan 1^st^-Feb 14, and June 16-Dec 31: 15

TRQ of 34,000 MT: zero duty for reference price:

03 02 40 00

03 03 50 00

03 04 10 97

03 04 10 98

03 04 90 22

Feb 15-June 15: exempted

(\*\*) TRQ of 200 MT: zero duty

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Customs Codes                     | Tariffs 2003/2004                 |
|                                   |                                   |
| Lobster                           |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 06 11 10                       | 12.5                              |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 06 11 90                       | 12.5                              |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 06 12 10                       | 6                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 06 12 90                       | 16                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 06 21 00                       | 12.5                              |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 06 22 10                       | 8                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 06 22 91                       | 8                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 06 22 99                       | 10                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Customs Codes                     | Tariffs 2003/2004                 |
|                                   |                                   |
| Scallops                          |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 07 21 00                       | 8                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 07 29 10                       | 8                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 07 29 90                       | 8                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Customs Codes                     | Tariffs 2003/2004                 |
|                                   |                                   |
| Surimi                            |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 90 05                       | 15                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 16 04 20 05                       | 20                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Customs Codes                     | Tariffs 2003/2004                 |
|                                   |                                   |
| Monkfish                          |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 02 69 81                       | 15                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 03 79 81                       | 15                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 83                       | 15                                |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 90 57                       | 7.5                               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Customs Codes                     | Tariffs 2003/2004                 |
|                                   |                                   |
| Dogfish                           |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 02 65 20                       | 6                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 02 65 50                       | 6                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 02 65 90                       | 8                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 03 75 20                       | 6                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 03 75 50                       | 6                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 03 75 90                       | 8                                 |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 61                       | 7.5                               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 03 04 20 69                       | 7.5                               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

# Production, Supply and Demand

## Production

### Total Fishery Products

The most recent complete data available on French seafood and
aquaculture production from the French Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries (MinAg) and the French Seafood board (OFIMER) is for 2002. It
includes the following:

  --------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                                    2001                  2002       

                                    Quantity   Value      Quantity   Value
                                    (MT)       (million   (MT)       (million
                                               Euros)                Euros)

  Fresh Wild Catch Sold at Auction  307,981    704        296,774    698
  Markets                                                            

  Fresh Wild Catch not Sold at      95,002     206        97,175     240
  Auction Markets                                                    

  Aquaculture                       254,020    483        250,378    512

  Frozen Wild Catch                 203,474    160        224,411    182

  TOTAL                             860,477    1,552      868,738    1,632
  --------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Sources: OFIMER, MinAg

## 

To date, only sales at auction markets are available for 2003. They
included the following:

  ------------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
                2002                            2003                  

                Quantity   Value      Average   Quantity   Value      Average
                (MT)       (million   Price     (MT)       (million   Price
                           Euros)     (Euro per            Euros)     (Euro per
                                      kg)                             kg)

  Finfish       217,632    525        2.41      207,585    517        2.49

  Crustaceans   10,431     69         6.59      10,847     68         6.27

  Shellfish     30,332     54         1.80      32,483     58         1.79

  Cephalopods   23,066     62         2.69      25,726     71         2.76
  ------------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------

Source: OFIMER

During the first half of 2004, 122,536 MT of seafood were sold at French
auction markets, for a value of 337 million euros. This corresponds to a
9% decline in quantity and 2% decline in value from the first half of
2003.

### Canned Fishery Products

## 

France is a major producer of canned fishery products. As indicated in
the following table, the major species canned in France are tuna,
sardines and mackerel.

  -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
                 2002                          2003           

                 Raw material   Processed      Raw material   Processed
                 used (whole    Products (net  used (whole    Products (net
                 fish           weight, MT)    fish           weight, MT)
                 equivalent,                   equivalent,    
                 MT)                           MT)            

  Sardines       18,774         9,956          17,417         8,782

  Tuna           39,960         43,005         43,277         46,272

  Mackerel       33,885         21,305         26,584         16,283

  Salmon/Trout   702            223            727            302

  Other (incl.   6,241          9,187          4,187          9,164
  Herring,                                                    
  shellfish and                                               
  other)                                                      

  Total          98,860         83,453         91,465         80,501
  -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------

Source: FIAC (French Federation for the Canning Industry)

[http://www.adepale.org](http://www.adepale.org/)

### Salmon

While salmon production is marginal in France, there is a significant
production of trout through aquaculture. Salmon and trout products are
in direct competition on the French market. Since salmon and trout
belong to the same family (Salmonidae), the aspect and texture of their
meat are similar. Salmon and trout are both sold fresh and smoked on the
French market. French trout production amounts to 45,000 MT, which is
significantly lower than the average 100,000 MT of salmon imported
annually.

### Groundfish

According to the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and
Rural Affairs, the following quantities of groundfish were caught by
French boats in 2001, 2002 and 2003:

+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|        | 2001    |         | 2002    |         | 2003    |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|        | Qua     | Sales   | Qua     | Sales   | Qua     | Sales   |
|        | ntities | Value   | ntities | Value   | ntities | Value   |
|        | P       | (1,000  | P       | (1,000  | P       | (1,000  |
|        | roduced | Euros)  | roduced | Euros)  | roduced | Euros)  |
|        |         |         |         |         |         |         |
|        | (MT)    |         | (MT)    |         | (MT)    |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Cod    | 11,308  | 30,142  | 11,614  | 29,306  | 8,912   | 22,717  |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| H      | 5,989   | 7,705   | 5,980   | 7,541   | 7,889   | 8,647   |
| addock |         |         |         |         |         |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| P      | 28,754  | 26,855  | 30,738  | 27,482  | 23,552  | 19,103  |
| ollack |         |         |         |         |         |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| W      | 38,535  | 31,018  | 33,244  | 31,066  | 33,667  | 29,866  |
| hiting |         |         |         |         |         |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Hake   | 10,000  | 38,528  | 13,614  | 49,338  | 13,296  | 48,793  |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| TOTAL  | 94,586  | 134,248 | 95,190  | 144,733 | 87,316  | 129,126 |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+

### Lobster

According to the French MinAg, French production of lobster was the
following in 2001, 2002 and 2003:

+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|        | 2001    |         | 2002    |         | 2003    |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|        | Qua     | Sales   | Qua     | Sales   | Qua     | Sales   |
|        | ntities | Value   | ntities | Value   | ntities | Value   |
|        | P       | (1,000  | P       | (1,000  | P       | (1,000  |
|        | roduced | Euros)  | roduced | Euros)  | roduced | Euros)  |
|        |         |         |         |         |         |         |
|        | (MT)    |         | (MT)    |         | (MT)    |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| L      | 332     | 6,763   | 302     | 6,290   | 303     | 6,066   |
| obster |         |         |         |         |         |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Rock   | 59      | 2,117   | 54      | 1,969   | 74      | 2,720   |
| L      |         |         |         |         |         |         |
| obster |         |         |         |         |         |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| TOTAL  | 391     | 8,880   | 356     | 8,259   | 377     | 8,786   |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+

### Scallops

French scallop production was the following in 2001, 2002 and 2003:

+---------+---------+----------+---------+----------+---------+--------+
| S       | 2001    |          | 2002    |          | 2003    |        |
| callops |         |          |         |          |         |        |
+---------+---------+----------+---------+----------+---------+--------+
|         | Qua     | Sales    | Qua     | Sales    | Qua     | Sales  |
|         | ntities | Value    | ntities | Value    | ntities | Value  |
|         | P       | (1,000   | P       | (1,000   | P       | (1,000 |
|         | roduced | Euros)   | roduced | Euros)   | roduced | Euros) |
|         |         |          |         |          |         |        |
|         | (MT)    |          | (MT)    |          | (MT)    |        |
+---------+---------+----------+---------+----------+---------+--------+
| i       | 16,903  | 50,946   | 20,108  | 53,737   | 18,250  | 49,205 |
| n-shell |         |          |         |          |         |        |
| s       |         |          |         |          |         |        |
| callops |         |          |         |          |         |        |
+---------+---------+----------+---------+----------+---------+--------+
| shelled | 2,486   |          | 2,957   |          | 2,684   |        |
| equ     |         |          |         |          |         |        |
| ivalent |         |          |         |          |         |        |
+---------+---------+----------+---------+----------+---------+--------+

Note: the conversion factor used to convert in-shell scallop production
into shelled scallop production is 6.8.

### Surimi

French surimi base production is restricted to one company, Comapeche,
based in Brittany. In 2004, it is estimated that Comapeche production of
surimi base will remain stable from 2003 at 2,500 MT. Comapeche's
subsidiary company Comaboko processes surimi base into prepared surimi
products.

According to the French surimi development association (ADISUR), French
domestic production of surimi continued to increase in 2003 to 37,600
MT. The following graph illustrates the continuing growth in both French
domestic production and demand for surimi since 1994. Please note that
these data do not correspond to PD&D data, as in the PS&D, data are for
surimi base, and here, data are for processed surimi products.

![](media/image69.wmf)

<http://www.adepale.org/adisur.htm>

### Monkfish and Dogfish

According to the French MinAg, French production of monkfish and dogfish
was the following in 2001, 2002 and 2003:

+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|        | 2001    |         | 2002    |         | 2003    |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|        | Qua     | Sales   | Qua     | Sales   | Qua     | Sales   |
|        | ntities | Value   | ntities | Value   | ntities | Value   |
|        | P       | (1,000  | P       | (1,000  | P       | (1,000  |
|        | roduced | Euros)  | roduced | Euros)  | roduced | Euros)  |
|        |         |         |         |         |         |         |
|        | (MT)    |         | (MT)    |         | (MT)    |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Mo     | 13,566  | 61,540  | 15,780  | 68,830  | 14,625  | 55,188  |
| nkfish |         |         |         |         |         |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| D      | 14,270  | 15,193  | 12,315  | 13,580  | 11,346  | 12,433  |
| ogfish |         |         |         |         |         |         |
+--------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+

## Consumption

## 

### Total Fishery Products

According to OFIMER and SECODIP, French household consumption of seafood
slightly decreased to 550,000 MT in 2003 from 543,000 MT in 2002. There
is no data available for seafood consumption in hotels, restaurants and
institutions in 2003, as indicated in the graph below.

![](media/image70.wmf)

Note: Food service seafood consumption for 1999 and 2003 are not
available.

As indicated in the graph below, fresh/frozen finfish is the main
category of seafood purchased by French households, in quantity,
followed by canned and catering seafood products.

![](media/image71.wmf)

The graph below illustrates the preference of French households for
fresh seafood products, although the share of frozen products, which is
of interest for U.S. exporters, is significant (21%) and stable from
2002.

![](media/image72.wmf)

Sources: OFIMER, SECODIP

During the first half of 2004, French household consumption of seafood
products increased by 4% in volume to 274,930 MT and 1.6% in value to
2,335 million euros from the first half of 2003. The following graph
indicates that shellfish and crustaceans have a lower share in the first
half of 2004 than in the whole year of 2003. This is due to the fact
that these products (mainly lobster and scallops are festive products
principally consumed during the Holiday season.

![](media/image73.wmf)

Sources: OFIMER, SECODIP

### Salmon

#### General 

France is the largest European consumer of salmon. Salmon products
(fresh, frozen, and processed) represent 10 percent of the volume of
finfish consumed in France every year. French per capita consumption is
2 kilograms per year, whole salmon equivalent. The French principally
consume salmon fresh or smoked.

The success of salmon on the French market is principally due to the
price decline of the past decade, as a result of the increased salmon
farming in Norway, Scotland and Ireland. In addition, salmon products
sold on the French market are numerous, including various cuts (whole,
steaks, fillets), and processing (fresh, frozen, fillets, smoked,
marinated, carpaccio, dice, patés, slices, etc.). Salmon products on the
French market are therefore in direct competition with groundfish
fillets, as well as meat and poultry cuts.

Salmon is French households' favorite species. In 2003, the market
shares of fresh, smoked and frozen salmon accounted for 17%, 63%, and
13% of total fresh, smoked and frozen finfish markets, respectively. In
2002, French purchases of salmon by hotels, restaurants and institutions
represented 35% of fresh whole finfish, 24% of fresh cut finfish, 20% of
frozen whole finfish, and 7% of frozen cut finfish.

#### Crisis of early 2004 

In early 2004, French salmon consumption was hurt by the publication in
January of an article in Science magazine concluding that farm-raised
salmon presented a cancer risk to consumers. During the month following
the publication of the article, salmon sales of specialized fish shops
declined by 45%, while supermarket sales were hurt to a lower extent,
since many of them sell specialty salmon products, which reassure
consumers in terms of food quality and safety. Interestingly, whole
salmon sales in supermarkets declined by 80% according to SECODIP, while
sales of salmon cuts rose by 50%. In French consumers' minds, the image
of the whole fish was hurt, but not that of the food product.

#### Smoked salmon

Smoked salmon remains a festive seasonal product in France. In 2003, 25%
of smoked salmon sales took place during the Holiday Season, where sales
of high quality smoked salmon products (with origins identified on
labels including Alaska, Baltic and Pacific) increased significantly, at
the expense of sales of low-price and low-quality standard product
sales. Labeyrie is, by far, the leading brand for smoked salmon, with
almost 20% of supermarket sales. Smoked Alaska salmon caught with rod
and line under Labeyrie brandname was successfully sold in 2003.

According to the French consumer survey agency SECODIP, French
households purchased 12,800 MT of smoked salmon in 2003, and only 1,450
MT of smoked trout. Both quantities increased by 5% from 2002.

### Groundfish fillets

On average, French groundfish consumption is 400,000 MT, whole fish
equivalent, annually, and French per capita consumption is 6.5 kg, whole
fish equivalent. White fish consumption accounts for 30% of total French
finfish consumption. Alaska Pollock, cod, and hake are French consumers'
preferred groundfish species. Groundfish fillets compete on the French
market with salmon, poultry and meat cuts. Alaska Pollock, which is the
product of interest for U.S. exporters to France, is principally used by
the French food industry to prepare breaded fish and prepared meals.

### Lobster

Lobster is mainly consumed in the HRI sector in France, as it is a
luxury product not often prepared at home. It is principally consumed in
December during the Holiday Season. Canadian lobster and American
lobster compete for the French market, but U.S. lobster is mainly
imported fresh, while Canadian lobster is principally imported frozen.
In 2003, French household consumption of fresh lobster and rock lobster
was 1,150 MT (a decline of 18% from 2002), for a value of 35 million
euros (an decline of 19%).

### Scallops

In France, the market for frozen scallops includes three segments.
First, more than half of the market consists of small size frozen
product, mainly imported from Argentina and the United States, used as
an ingredient by the food industry for prepared meals. The second market
segment consists of frozen scallops without roe, mainly supplied by
Greenland, Iceland and Canada, and has developed over the past few
years, due to its price-competitiveness with scallops sold with roe. The
third market segment includes scallops with roe, which are principally
imported from Chile, Peru and Canada. This product is of high value in
France, contrary to other markets.

### Surimi

According to ADISUR, French surimi consumption continued to increase in
2003 to 44,050 MT. The graph below illustrates the continued growth in
consumption since 1994. Over the past ten years, the market share for
frozen surimi products declined from 37% to 5%, for the benefit of fresh
sales, which represented 95% of the total surimi market in 2003. Surimi
sticks represent almost 77% of French household purchases. In 2004,
surimi processors (mainly Cuisimer and Fleury Michon) have launched new
products with various seasonings.

![](media/image74.wmf)

## Trade

France has a trade deficit for fishery products. According to French
Customs, this trade deficit amounted to 530,456 MT in 2003, or 2,125
million euros. The United States is France's leading supplier of fishery
products after the European Union.

### Salmon

According to French Customs, the United States was France's third
largest supplier of salmon (6% of the French market) in 2003, after
Norway (47%) and the United Kingdom (28%).

During the first 7 months of 2004, French imports of salmon declined by
9% to 46,074 MT from 50,715 MT in the same period of 2003. This resulted
from a significant decline in domestic consumption in the first months
of 2004, after the publication of an article in Science magazine
indicating farmed salmon presents a cancer risk to consumers.

### Groundfish Fillets

Most of French imports of groundfish fillets from the United States
consist mainly of Alaska Pollock. In 2002, shipments of Alaska Pollock
fillets from the U.S. to France were abnormally high (above 14,000 MT),
and they were back to more normal levels in 2003 (8,000 MT), although
higher than in 2001 (5,700 MT). EU sanitary restrictions were imposed on
frozen fillets of Alaska Pollock coming from China in 2002, therefore
reducing French imports from China significantly. In 2003, the trend
reversed.

During the first seven months of 2004, French imports of frozen fillets
of Alaska Pollock from all origins increased by 3% to 25,400 MT, to the
benefit of Chinese (10,000 MT) and U.S. (6,700 MT) products, and at the
expense of Russian products (3,900 MT).

### Lobster

The United States is, by far, the leading supplier of live and fresh
lobster to France, while Canada is the number one supplier of frozen
lobster to France. Frozen and live/fresh rock lobster are mainly
supplied by the Bahamas and Cuba to France, either directly or through
Spain.

American and Canadian lobsters are very price-competitive on the French
market with lobster caught in France, the UK and Ireland.

![](media/image75.wmf)

### 

### Scallops

French imports of scallops mainly consist of frozen products. Over the
past five years, the United States has become one of the leading
suppliers of frozen scallops, as indicated in the graph below. U.S.
products compete on the French market mainly with Argentine, Peruvian
and Chilean products.

![](media/image76.wmf)

### Surimi

The table in Section II distributing French surimi imports among surimi
base and prepared surimi indicates that the United States is, by far,
France's leading supplier of surimi base, with 64% of the French market
in 2003. During the first 7 months of 2004, U.S. exports of surimi base
to France remained strong and increased by 14% from the same period of
2003.

France's leading suppliers of prepared surimi are mainly Lithuania (64%)
and Thailand (14%). French imports of prepared surimi from Lithuania
have significantly increased from zero in 1999 to 5,000 MT in 2003,
gradually offsetting South Korea's and China's market shares. During the
first 7 months of 2004, French imports of prepared surimi from Lithuania
were stable from the same period of 2003. This spectacular increase
results from the strong development of the Viciunai multinational in
Lithuania, which is now the leading EU-25 surimi processor. This company
principally imports surimi base from the United States and Chile and
mainly exports prepared surimi products to France and Spain.

## Policy

### Salmon

Per the request of the United Kingdom and Ireland, the EU Commission
imposed tariff quotas for farm-raised salmon imported into the European
Union from Norway and the Faroe Islands. According to this decision,
from August 16, 2004 to February 6, 2005, 186,000 MT of salmon,
whole-fish equivalent, will be allowed for imports into the EU from
Norway and and the Faroe Islands. Above this quantity, a 522 euros per
MT duty will be imposed on whole fish and a 722 euros per MT on fillets.
It is estimated that the quota could be reached by mid-December
2004-mid-January 2005. This measure is expected to strengthen market
prices for salmon on the European market.

## Marketing

### Trade Shows

-   European Seafood Exposition, Brussels

The European Seafood Exposition is the leading seafood show in Europe.
It takes place every year in Brussels, Belgium. The next ESE will take
place on April 26-28, 2005.

All information to participate is located at:
[http://www.euroseafood.com](http://www.euroseafood.com/)

FAS/Paris promotes seafood products in France through trade shows and
marketing activities. The best way for a U.S. company to penetrate the
French market is to participate in trade shows. FAS/Paris recommends the
following trade shows which are USDA-endorsed and where U.S. companies
participating in USDA's Market Access Program (MAP) can be reimbursed up
to 50 percent of their expenses if they join the U.S. Pavilion.

-   SIAL (International Food Show), France

The International Food Show (SIAL) takes place every other year in
Paris, France. It is the EU's leading food show along with Germany's
ANUGA. In 2004, there were 5,300 exhibitors in total and 135,000
visitors from 98 countries at SIAL. Last SIAL took place on October
17-21, 2004. Next SIAL will take place on October 22-26, 2006.
Information on SIAL is located at:
[http://www.sial.fr](http://www.sial.fr/)

SIAL is a USDA-endorsed show with U.S.A. Pavilions. To be part of the
USA Pavilion at SIAL, please contact:

IMEX Management, Inc.

505 East Boulevard, Suite 200

Charlotte, NC 28203

Tel: 704 365 0041

Fax: 704 365 8426

Email: <sial@imexmgt.com>

Contact: François Gros

-   SIRHA (International Food Service and Gastronomic Trade Exhibition)

SIRHA is a USDA-endorsed show with a U.S.A. Pavilion, held biennially.

SIRHA is the premier international forum for the Hotel, Restaurant, and
Institution (HRI) Food Service Sector. It is also the international
meeting place for Chefs and food professionals.

SIRHA showcases quality food and food ingredient products as well as
foodservice equipment and industry innovation. This show, closely linked
to Chicago\'s National Restaurant Association Trade Show, is also host
to the world famous \"Bocuse d\'Or\" and the World Pastry Cup culinary
competitions.

In 2003, SIRHA had 1,540 exhibitors, including 234 exhibitors from 19
countries. There were 164,000 visitors including 6,300 international
visitors from 75 countries and 650 journalists from all over the world.

The next SIRHA will take place on January 22-26, 2005. SIRHA will extend
its exhibition area and expects to increase its exhibitor and visitor
participation by 20%.

Visitors at SIRHA are hotel/restaurant managers, caterers, wholesalers,
distributors and importers from supermarkets and the food service and
retail sectors.

To participate at SIRHA in January 2005, please contact:

Maria Nemeth-Ek/Sharon Cook

Trade Show Office

USDA - FAS

1400 Independence Ave., SW - Stop 1052

Room 4939 - South Building

Washington, D.C. 20250-1052

Tel: (202) 720 3623

Fax: (202) 690 4374

Email: <nemeth@usda.gov>

<sharon.cook@usda.gov>

or:

SEPELCOM

Marie-Odile Fondeur

Avenue Louise Bleriot - BP 87

69683 Chassieu Cedex

Tel: (33-4) 72 22 3241

Fax: (33-4) 72 22 3218

Email: <mofondeur@sepelcom.com>

Internet: <http://www.sirha.com/>

### U.S. Seafood Cooperators in France 

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) promotes U.S. wild salmon,
Alaska pollack and surimi in France. ASMI's website is:

[http://www.alaskaseafood.org](http://www.alaskaseafood.org/)

ASMI is represented in France by MARKONSULT

58, rue Pottier

78150 Le Chesnay

Tel: (33-1) 39 23 20 07

Fax: (33-1) 39 23 20 17

<NMasson@Alaskaseafood.org>

The American Seafood Institute (ASI) promotes U.S. seafood from the East
coast, lobster, scallops, monkfish and dogfish.

ASI/Rhode Island Seafood

212, Main Street, Suite 3

Wakefield

RI 02879

Tel: (401) 364 6185

fax: (401) 789 9727

[http://www.americanseafood.org](http://www.americanseafood.org/)

East Coast Seafood France SARL (U.S. lobster)

Dominique Moreau

1, rue de la Corderie

94586 Rungis Cedex

tel: (33-1) 49 78 92 54

fax: (33-1) 46 86 35 74

[dmoreau@myseafood.com]{.underline}

FAS/Paris and the State Regional Trade Groups (SUSTA, WUSATA,
Food-Export-USA and MIATCO) conduct promotional activities and buyer
missions for seafood products in France. For more information on these
activities, please visit our website or contact FAS/Paris directly. For
additional information on above trade shows and activities, please
contact FAS/Paris at:

<agparis@usda.gov>

or visit our website at:
[http://]{.underline}[www.amb-usa.fr/fas/hfas.htm](http://www.amb-usa.fr/fas/hfas.htm)

[SUSTA Initiative:]{.underline}

The Southern US Trade Association (SUSTA) has recently launched a
project to help Southern US seafood companies develop markets in Europe,
and France in particular. The seafood species SUSTA is targeting are
catfish, clams, conch, crab, crawfish, monkfish, oysters, scallops,
shark, shrimp, spiny lobster, squid and trout. Interested U.S. exporters
and French importers may contact:

Kara H. Smith

SUSTA European Seafood Initiative Project Manager

Taskforce Europe

J. v. Oldenbarneveltlaan 4

2582NN The Hague, Netherlands

tel. +31 (0) 70 322 8050

fax +31 (0) 70 322 8049

mobile +31 (0) 65157 8037

<kara@taskforceeurope.com>

[http://www.susta.org](http://www.susta.org/)