With KHV more in the News, how will this Fall Harvest be?

[aquitori]

With KHV more in the News and a top breeder having it. How will this Fall Harvest or buying trip be? This question goes out to those who will make the annual trip to Niigata or wherever in Japan to buy fish.

[Mike Snaden]

I think that harvest time will reveal many more problems. What has happened to Momotaro will already knock hobbiests confidence in Japanese Koi for six. The whole Koi industry is in a mess already. Koi dealers have a non existent dry goods market, as online shops have driven the prices down, so there's no margins left for dealers. Hobbiests, I think, have a tendancy not to talk to dealers for advice anymore, as they can get all they want from the web. This situation has inevitably means that people don't visit dealers shops so much nowadays, and these dealers have been driven into a position of only being able to make a living from Koi. Hence, a downturn in Koi sales will inevitably cause many dealers to close down. Only the strongest will survive. Sorry to be so pessimistic about this, but three dealers have called me up already to express their concerns.

[GazKoi]

Hi Mike,


You say the "koi industry id already in a mess" is this because of all the recent trouble with earthquakes ect or just from the outbreaks of KHV?

I have absolutely 100% faith that all these problems can be overcome it just takes honesty and being up front which as we know has been the case recently.I just hope that people do still visit their dealers and take the time to talk as i for one enjoy this part of the hobby.As you was so kind enough recently taking Bob & I round for pond visits and explain many things from water to Koi which was great Thanks

[Mike Snaden]

Hi Gazza,

Several reasons... economy, KHV, earthquakes. Although this year may have been a good year for us, people have generally been complaining of sales being down. Elisa (my Wife) has a gift shop, which is marginally up on last year despite everyone in the giftware industry complaining of sales being 30% down, so I guess it isn't just limited to the Koi industry.

Mike.

[keokoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mike Snaden Hi Gazza, Several reasons... economy, KHV, earthquakes. Mike.

I agree the Economy is down and many people do not have disposable income like a few years back.

Someone recently told me the Economy is great!...


Joe

[mulberryjen]

This question is related to Mike's - one that I even hate to ask, but have been wondering about.

If episodes of KHV occur at well-known koi breeders such as Momotaro, could this give lobbyists a platform to lockdown importation of Japanese koi into USA, UK, etc., or give the Japanese government reason to stop exportation to contain the virus?

Personally I can't imagine anyone within the hobby wishing for such a thing, but don't know if koi import/export follows same guidelines as other livestock or if it considered separately. I'm been thinking about the Asian bird flu issue, although the threat to humans makes that more urgent, or course.

Any thoughts?? (hopefully I'm just being paranoid )

[keokoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by mulberryjen This question is related to Mike's - one that I even hate to ask, but have been wondering about. If episodes of KHV occur at well-known koi breeders such as Momotaro, could this give lobbyists a platform to lockdown importation of Japanese koi into USA, UK, etc., or give the Japanese government reason to stop exportation to contain the virus? Personally I can't imagine anyone within the hobby wishing for such a thing, but don't know if koi import/export follows same guidelines as other livestock or if it considered separately. I'm been thinking about the Asian bird flu issue, although the threat to humans makes that more urgent, or course. Any thoughts?? (hopefully I'm just being paranoid )

Not paranoid... Many people and dealers worry a bit about that. Jsut look at some of the fine koi foods we cannot get because of importation laws. Momotaro, Izeki to name a few...

[GazKoi]

Thanks Mike i wondered if it was a few things.

Well guys thats something i would not wish to think too much about.Lets hope it can all be sorted out ASAP.

[Russell Peters]

We will be there in Five days!!!!!!!! I think that there is always a lot of panic when it comes to KHV and too much is being made of it. I know that the breaders we deal with test there Koi and so do we. I have been on the breaders websites and the harvest looks great. You need to make sure you quarantine and or test you Koi.

[Mike Snaden]

I can't really see any reason to ban imports. KHV is now in all of our countries now anyway, so I feel it is a little late for banning. But, I think that strict import/quarantine guidelines should be imposed, along with blood sample KHV testing.