China turns to South America since banning Japan seafood 1 year ago

TOKYO -- A year has passed since China banned imports of seafood from Japan in response to the release of treated wastewater from the disaster-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. China has filled the gap with purchases from South America, Asia and elsewhere.

China's overall seafood imports from September 2023 -- right after it halted shipments from Japan -- to July decreased about 10% on the year in dollar terms, according to China's General Administration of Customs. Imports of mollusks, which include scallops, were down 11% while fresh fish saw a 4% decline.