July 28, 2010

Slowdown in aquaculture growth predicted for Spain

Spanish production of marine farmed fish increased by 10.8% in 2009 to 48,440 tonnes, but it is expected to decline by 0.9% this year, according to a report by the Business Association for Marine Aquaculture Producers (Apromar).

According to Apromar, although the rate of growth increased by 2.5% last year above the 2008 figure (8.3%), this has been described as being too "low" and shows the "worrisome trend of a slowdown" in growth.

An analysis of the major aquacultural species in Spain reveals that the production of seabream declined by 1 % in 2009, reaching an output of 23,690 tonnes. Apromar also predicts that the production of this species will fall by another 2.6 % this year.

The production of seabass increased by 40.7% compared to the previous year to 13,840 tonnes. However in 2008, it fell by 6.1% and it is expected that in 2010, it will fall by 11.2%.

Meanwhile, turbot production rose by 5.7% last year to 8,320 tonnes, and a positive trend is predicted for 2010 with growth forecasted at 1.2%. A similar situation can be seen with meagre: production increased by 28% in 2009 to 1,660 tonnes, and this year it is estimated to grow by a further 92%.

Apromar's annual report also details that sole production increased by a staggering 241.8% during the previous year to 188 tonnes, and in 2010 the figure may rise by a further 27.7%.

While the production of eel grew by 8.5% in 2009, in 2010 it should remain stable. Shrimp grew by 17.5% last year to 47 tonnes, and will most likely fall by 14.9%.

In relation to the value of production, the total turnover of farmed fish increased in 2009 to EUR223.6 million (US$291.4 million), i.e. an annual increase of 2.6%.