Argentine seafood exports slide in Jan-Apr

Argentina exported 118,877 tonnes of fish and shellfish worth US$277.1 million in the four first months of 2010, a fall of 12.3% in terms of volume and of 7.2% in value from the previous year, according to the National Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASA).

Between January and March this year, total fish exports reached 91,260 tonnes at US$27.6 million, while shellfish amounted to 27,617 tonnes worth US$93.8 million, said SENASA.

The highest export registries were of common hake, totalling 43,531 tonnes at US$93.7 million, an on-year increase of 0.9% in volume but a loss of 6.1% in value.

In terms of volume, squid ranked next with 17,683 tonnes worth US$27 million, making it 32.1% less in volume and 34.8% more in value compared with last year's levels.

Just behind were shipments of Argentine anchoita averaging 10,993 tonnes at US$20 million; shrimp with 7,201 tonnes at US$48.1 million; and hoki with 5,614 tonnes worth US$11 million.

Brazil led in imports of Argentine fish and shellfish during Jan-Apr period of 2010, with shipment of 22,597 tonnes worth US$56.2 million.

Spain ranked second in terms of export volume with 21,070 tonnes, but was in first place in terms of value, with purchases worth US$68.1 million.

They were followed by Italy, with 7,490 tonnes estimated at US$23.9 million, and the US, with 4,172 tonnes valued at US$12.7 million.