Loach 2015 Market Price Forecast

Loach is heavily affected by weather. Generally, when winter is cold, the catch decreases and the price of farmed loach is higher; in a warm winter, the catch is large and the price is lower. This year, loach farming scale and market prices have risen in tandem. Loach is suitable for farming across a wide range, with large-scale farming in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi, Fujian and other provinces. The most widely distributed species is the large-scale loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus). Farming modes include pond culture, self-built ponds on flat land, and polyculture with fish or shrimp; large-scale farming generally uses ponds or self-built ponds on flat land.

Loach prices have been on an overall upward trend in recent years. During the 2013 Spring Festival, the price reached as high as 37-38 yuan/jin, and in mid-March it was around 25 yuan/jin, while the cost of farming loach is about 10 yuan/jin, leaving a large profit margin. Generally, prices are higher in winter and lower in summer. At the start of this year, prices were down 3-4 yuan/jin year-on-year, mainly due to the economic situation. In addition, as in previous years, prices generally rise after the Chinese New Year, so many farmers stocked up before the New Year to sell at higher prices afterward; the large volume caused prices to fall somewhat. Industry insiders predict that loach prices will remain stable in 2014.

The loach breeding period is from April to October, and breeding occurs when the water temperature is above 20 degrees. Constant-temperature technology can now achieve year-round breeding. The survival rate and growth speed of wild fry are inferior to those of artificially bred fry, and artificially bred fry are in short supply, so seedling technology still needs a breakthrough. Most loach is exported to South Korea and Japan; affected by China-Japan relations, exports to Japan have decreased since last year. At present, there are no major problems in the loach farming stage, and the market is good, but there are irregular farming models and companies hyping seedlings. Industry players remind people to treat production claims rationally and choose seedlings cautiously.