September 15, 2004

 

 

Pakistan's Fish Exports Fall 28% On Lower Prices

 

Exports of fish and seafood in Pakistan total $16.44 million in the first two months of the current fiscal year. This is a decline of 28.58 percent compared to $23.02 million worth of exports in the same period last year.

 

According to latest available figures, the export volume of fish and seafood increased to 12,282 metric tons compared with 11,473 metric tons in the same period a year earlier.

 

Exporters attributed the decline in value to low-grade fish exported, which fetched comparatively lower prices.

 

"There was no shrimp export during July and the first week of August because of the ban," said Capt. Akhlaq, an exporter and director at Fishermen Co-operative Society. "Indian mackerel and few other fish were mainly exported during these months."

 

Moreover, considerable increase in exports of non-traditional and cheaper items like ribbon fish, dry products, dry fish and fish meal was registered in the absence of shrimps and prawns exports, which form a major part of the country's fish and seafood exports.

 

In July, the volume of exports increased 791 tons to 5,115 tons worth $5.48 million. It is an increase of 18.29 percent compared to 4,324 tons in July 2003 valued at $9.59 million.

 

The value of exports fell to more than half in July this year at $1.09 per kg against $2.22 per kg last year, since shrimps and prawns were not exported, exporters said.

 

Pakistani exports of trash fish, fresh fish, dried fish and the Indian mackerel remained firm to Malaysia and China.

 

"But these products fetch low prices," said Mr Akhlaq.

 

Similarly in August, the volume improved slightly by 0.25 percent, or 18 tons, to 7,167 tons worth $10.96 million. This is in comparison with 7,149 tons valued at $13.43 million in the same month last year.

 

Exporters have attributed increase in quantity to higher fish catch including the Indian Mackerel. But the decline in value was due to lower international prices.

 

Mr Akhlaq said the value of shrimps and prawns is expected to drop around 20 percent on the international markets due to higher harvest of artificially bred shrimps in China and India.

 

"The US authorities even imposed anti-dumping duties on China for supplying shrimps at lower cost," he added.