Squid processing. (Photo: Adex, Facebook)

Marginal growth in non-traditional fishing exports

PERU
Friday, July 13, 2012, 16:30 (GMT + 9)

Non-traditional fisheries exports generated USD 457.1 million between January and May 2012, only 4 per cent over the same period last year, the Association of Exporters (ADEX) reported.

According to the manager of Catching Industries and Services of ADEX, Percy Sánchez, the increase was lower than that in same period in 2011 (72 per cent) and in 2010 (18 per cent).

The entity said that the value-added seafood exports grew 34 per cent in January; in February there was a 30 per cent rise and in March it was up 10 per cent. However, in April and May exports declined by 27 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.

Sánchez explained that the decline in May was due to lower shipments of giant squid and frozen, dried, salted or brined scallops; and of frozen whole shrimp, the agency Andina reported.

Besides, he noted that the fall would have been greater if there had not been a rise in frozen fish exports – horse mackerel, dolphinfish and trout -- processed shrimp; canned squid and sardines.

"The lower shipments of frozen giant squid were due to the increase in sea temperature, which makes this species to migrate to colder waters, to get away from the coast or seek deeper water," he said.

And he emphasized that "the demand has not fallen, it is the capture what has dropped."

The manager said that shipments of frozen giant squid abroad last May were 37 per cent lower than in the same month in 2011.

Meanwhile, the decline in scallop exports was caused by a recorded 80 per cent morality rate of the harvests of this species in February as a result of pollution in the Bay of Sechura (Piura).

In the case of frozen whole prawns, there was a mismatch in production and harvest times.

Processed and canned cuttlefish and squid exports generated USD 14.9 million; those of frozen horse mackerel, excluding livers and roes generated USD 11.4 million; and those of shelled shrimp tails, which were uncooked in water or vapor or frozen reached USD 5.6 million.

In the document issued by ADEX it is detailed that in the first five months of this year, fishery products for direct human consumption (DHC) reached 92 markets, including the United States, with orders for USD 101.4 million, a 34 per cent more than in the same period of 2011.

Further back were located Spain, with purchases for USD 49.6 million; China, Korea and France.

In the first five months of 2012, the main export companies were CNC, Pesquera Diamante, Corporación Refrigerados INY, Technológica de Alimentos (TASA), Seafrost, Pesquera Hayduk, Productora Andina de Congelados, Austral Group and Pacific Freezing Company, among others.

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

 ADEX -Asociacion de Exportadores del Peru-

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