May 15, 2012

Uruguay exported 102,478 tonnes of fish resources for US$236.2 million in 2011, an increase of 19.7% in volume and 22.1% in value compared to 2010, when 85,601 tonnes, worth US$193.4 million, were exported.

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 US$2.305, compared with US$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, according to reports.

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

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

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

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