August 20, 2007

Value of Chile's H1's fish exports up 8.9 percent on-year

Chile' ocean fishing industry exports totaled US$782.5 million in the first half of 2007, up 8.9 percent from US$718.5 million in the same period a year ago, industry association Sonapesca said Friday (Aug 17).

This was despite export volume being down 4.4 percent to 536,223 tonnes for the first half of the year.

In terms of value, fishmeal and fish oil exports increased 17.6 percent on the year to US$340.9 million from US$290.0 million, Sonapesca added.

Fishmeal and fish oil exports accounted for 57.3 percent of the sector' exports, or 307,328 tonnes, a 9.5 percent drop from a year ago.

International fishmeal prices jumped 34.1 percent during the period to US$1,161 a tonne, the industry group reported.