Peru aquaculture output triples over five years

Peru's aquaculture production grew 300 per cent over the last five years, and the value of sector exports reached US$103 million in 2008, revealed the Ministry of Production (Produce).

Peru fisheries vice-minister Elsa Galarza said the country only had 10,000 tonnes of annual production in 2003, but there had been a substantial increase, topping 40,000 tonnes now.

Galarza assured that aquaculture offers interesting opportunities for investment, which is why she estimates that its development will accelerate in the short term.

In addition, she emphasised that the country possesses a diversity of environments for the establishment of coastal, mountain range and forest production centres, as well as a variety of species potentially apt for development.

Some of the more important farmed species are the prawn, scallop, trout and paiche.

Galarza said the main international markets for national aquaculture products are the US, Europe and Asia, where a high consumption of this type of resources is registered.

According to the Peru Exporters Association (ADEX), aquaculture sector sales overseas added up to US$54.52 million in the first half of 2009 thanks to the increasing worldwide demand of marine products.

According to the FIS, other exported aquaculture resources were paiche (also called arapaima; Arapaima gigas), with shipments worth US$26,396; and tilapia, with US$20,137.