July 7, 2014             
 

El Nino's threat on Peru's fishmeal production set to ease
 

The worst of El Nino is behind Peru and cooling sea temperatures are bringing back schools of anchovy, the main ingredient in fishmeal, Reuters reports.

Temperatures in Peru's ocean peaked in June, rising three degree Celsius above average levels, but have since fallen and will likely return to normal by August, Peru's state committee that studies El Nino said.

"The possibility of us seeing an extraordinary Nino is ruled out," said German Vasquez, the head of the committee.

Peru is the world's top fishmeal exporter, producing about a third of worldwide supply. The industry is concentrated along the South American country's northern and central coast.

Anchovy that swam south to escape warmer sea temperatures that came in April are making their way back now, Vasquez said. "Anchovy are coming north. There are already fish in the centre of the country, but they're still very close to the coast and not yet at their usual depth."

Vasquez said sea temperatures off Peru's coast could rise again slightly at the end of the year.