Slight fall in Argentina's seafood exports

 

 

Argentina exported 52,805 tonnes of fish and shellfish worth US$114.1 million in the two first months of 2010, down 1.8% in volume and 14.1% in value as compared to the same period last year.

 

According to statistics by the National Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASA), export volumes reached 53,762 tonnes worth US$132.7 million.

 

Between January and February, SENASA certified fish exports worth 45,047 tonnes, valued at US$82.9 million, and 7,758 tonnes of shellfish worth US$31.2 million.

 

The highest export registries were of common hake (Merluccius hubbsi), with 21,894 tonnes worth US$43.4 million. These figures represent increases of 21.9% and 1.6%, respectively, with respect to both first months of 2009, when 17,950 tonnes of common hake worth US$42.7 million were shipped overseas.

 

In terms of volume, it was followed by Argentine anchoita (Engraulis anchoita), with 7,150 tonnes and US$12.3 million.

 

Meanwhile, shipments of shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) with 3,066 tonnes, but at a greater value of US$20.1 millon; and of hoki (Macruronus magellanicus), with 2,274 tonnes and US$3.9 million.

 

In addition, 1,036 tonnes of South American striped weakfish (Cynoscion striatus) worth US$1.1 million were shipped overseas; and 680 tonnes of short-tailed river stingray (Potamotrygon brachyura), worth US$1.4 million.

 

After many months of leadership of Spain in the import of fish and Argentine shellfish, this country was displaced by Brazil in the first two months of 2010, which imported a total of 11,408 tonnes worth US$25.1 million.

 

Spain was located in second place in terms of the volume exported to that market, 8,792 tonnes, but in first place as far as value, which arrived at US$26.2 million. It was followed by Italy, with 2,964 tonnes estimated at US$10.1 million, and US, with 2,076 tonnes worth US$5.4 million.