March 21, 2007

Fishmeal exports soars for top producer as demand from China rises

Peruvian Tecnologica de Alimentos (TASA), the world's top fishmeal producer, expects its exports to jump 33 percent this year to US$400 million on the back of growing demand from China.

China is expected to purchase more fishmeal to use as livestock feed as demand for pork grows, according to Humberto Speziani of TASA.

Speziani said global fishmeal prices could increase as much $50 a tonne this year from a current $1,200 a tonne. Peruvian FAQ fishmeal are currently at around US$1,150 a tonne. 

TASA processes fishmeal mainly from anchovies caught in the Pacific Ocean.

The company operates 16 fish processing plants with a capacity for 455 tonnes of frozen mackerel production a day.

Exports are expected to reach US$400 million in fishmeal, oil, frozen and canned foods (exports), according to Speziani.

China's January fishmeal imports were up 17 percent from December last year but 30 percent below that of the same period last year.