Traditional traders send out mixed signals

Middle class shoppers in China are showing a growing appetite for seafood products and a passion for imported delicacies as they prop up an industry going through turbulent times.

Data released in August by the Ministry of Commerce showed that China imported seafood and fish products worth $3.52 billion during the first seven months of this year, down 5.12 percent from the same period of 2014.

Aquatic exports reached $10.66 billion during the same period, a year-on-year drop of 4.7 percent, according to the General Administration of Customs.