First shipment of tuna from Malta arrives in China

This week marked the arrival of the first shipment of tuna by sea from Malta to China, according to a government statement. This follows a series of smaller air freight exports made possible through a bilateral export agreement signed between the Maltese and Chinese governments in November 2023.

Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said stated, “the success of these exports to a significant new market is a testament to the diligent work of both governments, making us among the first Mediterranean countries to access the Chinese market.” She added, “the Maltese Government’s support in helping local operators diversify into new export markets is the result of agreements between the two governments, which include technical and diplomatic assistance at all levels.”

The initial meetings began in 2021, when the government received a request from local operators interested in exploring new markets. The subsequent diplomatic discussions paved the way for more advanced technical work to ensure that local products met the food safety standards required by the Chinese market.

“These exports come at a crucial time for local operators, who had been feeling the pressures of the market due to an almost exclusive reliance on a single export market. Market diversification ensures that local producers can maintain a strong export business while increasing demand for our products,” said Alicia Bugeja Said. She noted that the next step for the government is to work towards exporting wild-caught tuna as well, so fishermen can benefit from better prices for their products.

The Parliamentary Secretary concluded: “It is highly gratifying to see the government’s efforts result in these positive outcomes, ensuring that local products remain sought after in global markets. We have worked tirelessly to reach this point, where the industry’s products will now be delivered to international markets.”

The announcement comes as media reports detail warnings by local fish farms about the significant declining export value of Maltese tuna, despite a local increase in production.

Referring to NSO figures, the Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers (FMAP) said that Malta’s aquaculture sector exports had a value of €199.124 million in 2023, a decrease of almost 40% (more than €121 million) compared to 2022, where the total export value was €320.4 million.

FMAP CEO Charlon Gouder, in a recent statement, said that Malta exports most of its Atlantic bluefin tune to Japan, however currency shifts and geopolitical tension in both regions have led to the value of products exported from Malta to decrease by half.