Peru reports growth in non-traditional seafood exports

The higher purchases from China and Spain boosted non-traditional seafood shipments overseas between January and March 2010, according to the Commission for the Promotion of Peruvian Exports and Tourism (PromPeru).

Non-traditional seafood exports from Peru include frozen fish, shrimp tails, mollusks, trout, scallops, squids, and a wide range of canned species (tuna, bonito, and mackerel), among others.

During Q1, the exports reached a value of US$148 million, 4% more than during the same period of 2009. This figure represents 2% of total Peruvian shipments overseas and 10% of non-traditional ones.

According to the commission, non-traditional seafood products were exported to 66 countries. The most significant destination markets were the US (with a share of 26.5%), Spain (15.6%), China (11.7%), France (6.8%) and the Republic of Korea (4.5%).

Meanwhile, China registered a growth of 52.7%; Spain, 29.3%; the US, 17.4% and France, 0.4%.

Frozen processed giant squid and frozen squid were the main exports to the Chinese market. These products registered additional sales of US$4.4 million and US$1.6 million, respectively.

In the case of Spain, the highest values corresponded to frozen squid, with US$7.1 million; tuna loins products, with US$1.3 million, and anchovy fillets, worth US$1.1 million.

First-quarter exports to the Netherlands also increased, with US$3.4 million; so did Germany, with US$2 million, and Thailand, with US$1 million. These exports consisted of scallops for the Netherlands; canned products of sardines and frozen processed giant squid for Germany, and frozen squid for Thailand.

Among the main products exported in the three first months of 2010, squid and frozen squid stand out, with sales worth US$35.1 million; fillets of frozen mahi mahi, worth US$18 million; the frozen scallops, worth US$17.9 million; processed frozen squid, worth US$17.3 million; and frozen shrimp tails in their shell, worth US$11.1 million.

The highest growth was registered for frozen squid, with an additional US$9 million, and frozen scallops, with US$7.2 million, according to reports.