Coronavirus: China’s freeze on imported salmon stirs concern about wider impact on European food trade
- The European Commission says China has not banned salmon imports, but supermarket shelves in Beijing have been cleared of foreign fish and meat
- Traders say imports were frozen after the virus was discovered on chopping boards used for imported salmon at Beijing’s Xinfadi market
Seafood traders in China are bracing for a “psychological blow to consumption” and the possibility of wider disruption to imported proteins after Beijing halted shipments of European salmon amid fears it may be the source of a new coronavirus outbreak.
While a European Commission spokesman said “there is no formal ban or import restriction in place”, traders have confirmed Beijing has stopped imports of all fresh products. European exporters are now anxiously waiting for clarification.
“We have not had contact with local authorities. Our understanding is that the current situation is causing some logistical implications for fresh salmon to the market,” said Victoria Braathen, China director at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
“We are monitoring the development in the market closely. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is clear that the coronavirus does not affect seafood safety as there are no known cases of infection via contaminated food, imported food or water.”
Nonetheless, salmon, along with other imported meat and seafood products, has been removed from the shelves of major supermarkets across China while authorities test meat and seafood imports for traces of the virus.