November 30, 2007

Argentina fish exports drop by 14 percent

Argentina's fish and shellfish exports dropped by 14 percent in volume and 15 percent in value on-year.

National Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASA) reported that at the end of October exports totalled 465.000 tonnes valued US$897 million, compared to 541.000 tonnes and over a billion US dollars in 2006.

Argentina's shellfish sector suffered the greatest drop with exports slipping by 11 percent in volume and 27 percent in value.

SENASA stated that from January to October, 186.000 tonnes worth US$430 of shellfish were exported compared to last year's 209.000 tonnes valued at US$589.

Squid totalled 136.000 tonnes worth US$110 million; shrimp US$271 million for nearly 42,000 tonnes.

The average export price was at US$6.36 per tonne this year, nearly half of last year's US$12 per tonne. Scallops exports reached US$46 million US for 7,00 tonnes.

Fish exports fell 16 percent but the value only slipped by 1 percent.

By the end of October this year, fish exports amounted to 279,00 tonnes compared to last year's 332,000 tonnes.