Comparison between 2010/2011 fishing export value and volume. (Graph: Dinara/FIS)

Seafood exports grow in volume and value

URUGUAY
Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 02:30 (GMT + 9)

Last year Uruguay exported 102,478 tonnes of fish resources for USD 236.2 million. These figures show an increase of 19.7 per cent in volume and 22.1 per cent in value compared to 2010, when 85,601 tonnes worth USD 193.4 million were sent abroad.

This was announced by the head of the National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Dinara), Daniel Gilardoni, who also noted that the average price for each exported tonne reached USD 2.305, compared with USD 2,259 in 2010

Gilardoni attributed the growth of the Uruguayan fisheries exports to the increase in some prices and the placement of high value added products in demanding markets.

In addition, it was found that another decisive factor was the rise in the volume of products with little added value exported to Asia and Africa, reported LaRed21.

According to statistics from Dinara, Brazil was the main destination of exports from Uruguay: this country imported 20,728 tonnes worth USD 51.1 million.

Further behind came Nigeria with 18,751 tonnes worth USD 32.7 million; China with 10,009 tonnes worth USD 19.8 million; Italy with 7,026 tonnes worth USD 30.6 million; and Spain with 3,801 tonnes worth USD 13, 4 million, the head of Dinara added.

The exports of frozen fish (excluding fillets) totalled 78,346 tonnes in 2011 and generated USD 149.6 million in revenue.

Of fillets and other fish meat 14,509 tonnes were shipped for USD 54.7 million, and 4,080 tonnes of canned and processed fish were sent abroad for USD 15.3 million.

The most exported species in 2011 were croaker (34,594 tonnes), hake (25,689 tonnes), blue shark (11,864 tonnes), stripped weak fish (4,647 tonnes), squid (1,942 tonnes) and red crab (1,112 tonnes).

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

Print