July 9, 2013

Demand for Mexican seafood internationally increases

Mexico's fishing products have reflected an increase in demand as it gains more acceptance in the main consumer markets in the world.

According to the head of the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca), Mario Aguilar Sanchez, in 2012 exports of fisheries and aquaculture resources were recorded for US$1,117.3 million. The main exported products were shrimp, tuna, sardine, lobster and octopus.

The shipments of shrimp abroad last year exceeded US$268.2 million while imports totalled US$110.5 million. Meanwhile, tuna exports generated US$155.6 million in revenue compared with imports for US$137.7 million.

Moreover, lobsters were sold abroad for US$80 million, and were imported for US$2.9 million. Octopus specimens were also exported for US$45.9 million whereas they were imported for US$4.8 million.

With regards to grease and oil, products were sold overseas for US$55 million and purchases were recorded for US$22 million. The shipments of fishmeal and seafood totalled US$147.4 million, and they were imported for US$27.1 million.

The main destination for Mexican seafood exports in 2012 was the US, which purchased 50% of the total. It was followed by Hong Kong with 9%, Spain with 8%, Japan with 6%, and China, with 5%.

As for the production of the domestic fishing industry, it was more than 1.6 million tonnes last year. The capture from fisheries contributed 85% of the production and the rest came from aquaculture.

Aguilar Sanchez stressed that Mexico has a great hydrological potential for developing fisheries and aquaculture, with 11,500 kilometres of coastline, 6,500 square kilometres of inland waters, 12,500 square kilometres of coastal and marine systems, and a very important exclusive economic zone.