May 3, 2013

In the first two months of the year, Argentina reported exports of 48.418 tonnes of seafood equivalent to US$140.8 million, which is 8.2% less than the same period a year ago, because of lower prices.

The Situation Report from the Fisheries Directory based on Indec figures shows that the three main export items prices: hake (Merluccius Hubbsi); squid (Illex argentinus) and shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) declined by 5.1%, 17.5% and 3.8% respectively. This however contrasts with the rise in costs in the Argentine fishing industry.

In the case of hake, the average tonne price in the first two months of 2013 was US$2,612. The average tonne of squid was sold at US$1,677 (whole squid, US$1,511; squid pods, US$2,546; clean tubes, US$6,418; and tentacles, US$2,685). As to shrimp the average tonne price was US$5,402 in the first two months of this year.

In the two months to February 28, 13,147 tonnes of hake were exported, up 2.8% over the same period a year ago and totalling US$34.3 million; the volume of shrimp exported was 6,381 tonnes, up 12.8% and US$34.4 million and finally 7,536 tonnes of squid, up 14.3%, totalling US$12.6 million.

The Argentine fishing industry claims it not only faces rising domestic costs but also a poor exchange rate and the contraction of the European market, key destination of Argentinean sea produce.