December 2, 2013

Peru forecasts 2013 aquaculture exports to reach US$250 million

Peru's Association of Exporters (ADEX) expects that during 2013 the exports of aquaculture products such as paiche, scallops, trout, shrimp and tilapia will reach US$250 million, which could result to a growth of between 21% and 23% compared to 2012.

According to ADEX president, Eduardo Amorrortu, aquaculture product exports increased by 13% between 2008 and 2012, indicating that the aquaculture industry has potential growth.

In January-September of 2013, the country exported 20,000 tonnes of aquaculture products for US$196 million, according to Adex Business Intelligence System Data Trade.

Amorrortu believes that the development of aquaculture in Peru involves encouraging species diversification and production areas at national level.

Meanwhile, the manager of Services and Catching Industries of ADEX, Susana Yturry stressed that paiche and scallop exports lead the growth this year driven by shipments to new markets: Thailand, Russia, China, Korea and Indonesia.

"In 2011 we had only 74 markets, in 2012 we managed to have 114 and we hope that in 2013 the number of already explored markets will amount to over 120 markets," she remarked.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Production (Produce) announced that before the end of the year the new aquaculture promotion and development act, which provides a fund to promote technological research in this area, will be ready, reported America Economica.

The only way to enhance the growth of the aquaculture industry is by promoting research to develop new areas for farming products that are successful in international markets like paiche, trout, shrimp, scallops and tilapia, according to Paul Phumpiu, deputy minister of Fisheries.