June 7, 2012
Ecuador's fishmeal sector achieves good 2011 record
Last year, Ecuador recorded one of the best fishmeal and fish oil productions ever in the country, which was boosted by the arrival of an abundance of horse mackerel to the Ecuadorian sea.
In 2011, 30,000 tonnes of horse mackerel were caught to produce fishmeal, most of which was exported to markets in Japan and in China. These two countries account for about 60% of total production in Ecuador.
According to Fausto Tomalá, general manager of Industrial Pesquera JunÃn (Junsa), the main processing company that exports fishmeal in Ecuador, this pelagic resource supported the sector last year.
Besides, in late 2011 "anchovy also entered due to the cold water that remained in Ecuador in December," the entrepreneur added.
With respect to product prices, it has been indicated that at present they remain stable.
"We started last year with a very high price but we ended up with an average price, I would say that it was not so good," Tomalá stressed.
In relation to fish oil price, the Junsa executive commented that it was also sustainable, reported El Telégrafo.
Meanwhile, this year manufacturers hope that the sea conditions remain similar to those in 2011.
While the global economic situation is critical, fishmeal production managed to keep hold thanks to its great importance in the food chain.
Meanwhile, according to the entrepreneur César Rohón, industry consolidation is due to the fact that at present the size of the fleet and that of factories are not the same as in the 60s and 80s.
"Today there are only a dozen industries and nearly fifty operational vessels. This natural cleansing process that has occurred in the industry through the years is what has allowed those who still are in the business to consolidate," he explained.
Rohón noted that this industry is very important to Ecuador because it generates foreign currency and jobs for the residents of areas where processing plants are located.
