Xiamen imported 1,582 tons of fresh shrimp and crab worth 145 million yuan ($22 million) in the first 10 months of this year, an increase of 38 percent and 30.5 percent respectively year-on-year, according to Xiamen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (EEIQB).

The mass increase comes as customs and quarantine procedures have been streamlined in the city, and as a result of closer cooperation with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The fresh shrimps valued at $1.13 million, accounting for 52.1 percent of the total value while the fresh crabs valued at $1.04 million, taking up 47.9 percent of the total value.

The seafood mainly came from the Philippines, Canada and Indonesia with the three countries accounting for 48.8 percent, 23.6 percent and 9.5 percent of the import value respectively.

Officials from Xiamen EEIQB said that the seafood from the Philippines is much cheaper and more varied than most other countries.

The establishment of Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone has also made it more convenient for customs clearance, making it easier for goods to come through Xiamen Port.

China's Commerce Ministry reduced tariffs for seafood imported from Canada in Jan 1 this year and thus increasingly more of Canada's seafood has started to enter the Chinese market, said one official.

Xiamen has imported 1,582 tons of fresh shrimp and crab with a total value of 145 million yuan ($22 million) in the first 10 months of this year. [Photo/ taihainet.com]