Squid (Illex argentinus) for export. (Photo: F.Lopez)

Fish exports fall despite squid recovery

ARGENTINA
Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 02:10 (GMT + 9)

Argentina exported 142,405 tonnes of fish and shellfish for USD 423 million in the first five months of 2012, according to statistics from the National Health Service and Food Quality (Senasa).

These figures represent a fall of 13.7 per cent in volume and of 9.4 per cent in value over the same period last year, when 164,876 tonnes were sold abroad for USD 466.5 million tonnes.

Between January and May 2012, Senasa certified fish exports for about 88,296 tonnes, valued at USD 220.8 million and 54,109 tonnes of shellfish worth USD 202.2 million.

The major export records were those of hake (Merluccius hubbsi), with 39,805 tonnes worth USD 106.1 million. These figures indicate a 9.6 per cent decrease in volume and a 10.7 per cent fall in value compared with the first five months of 2011 (44,009 tonnes and USD 118.8 million).

In terms of volume, the squid (Illex argentinus) was in second place with 35,327 tonnes worth USD 83.4 million, that is to say, there was a 2.7 per cent increase in volume and a 20.6 per cent growth in value compared to the same period in 2011 (34.386 tonnes and USD 69.1 million).

It was followed by exports of hoki (Macruronus magellanicus), with 5,400 tonnes worth USD 13 million; those of Patagonian anchovy (Engraulis anchovy) with 6,547 tonnes worth USD 15.5 million; and exports of shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) with 14,236 tonnes worth USD 74.9 million.

The shipments of Patagonian scallop (Zygochlamys patagonica) totalled 2,650 tonnes worth USD 31.1 million; those of fin rays (Potamotrygon brachyura) amounted to 2,099 tonnes worth USD 5 million; those of pollock (Genypterus blacodes) totalled 1,770 tonnes for USD 8, 6 million; and those of flounder (Paralichthys patagonicus) amounted to 1,092 tonnes worth USD 5.4 million, among other species.

During the first five months of this year, Spain ranked first among the countries that received Argentinean fish and shellfish: this country imported a total of 30,916 tonnes worth USD 106.9 million.

Brazil ranked second with 16,246 tonnes worth USD 49.1 million. Then the US was located with 8,095 tonnes valued at USD 34 million, and then Italy, with 7,318 tonnes worth USD 24.6 million.

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

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