January 26, 2005

Iran sees fall in seafood consumption

The per capita seafood consumption has reached 6 kilograms per annum in Iran, which is far below the international standard of 16,300 grams.

Iran's fisheries chief Lotfollah Saidi said at the one-day Seminar on Seafood Role in Public Health that the country ranks 19th in the world in terms of fish production. He stressed that Iran produced and caught a total of 440,000 tons of various kinds of aquatics during March 2003-2004.

He put the total value of seafood exports at $90 million since March 2004, adding that the southern regions contribute some 68% of fish caught or bred in Iran.

The official said the fourth development plan (2005-2010) has stipulated that per capita seafood consumption must reach 10 kilograms per annum.

10,000 tons of shrimps would be produced in the year to March 2006 provided that the government removes obstacles to developing the sector.

Shrimp production is expected to reach 7,000 tons by March. Some 95% of the total shrimp output is exported.

Per capita shrimp consumption is less than 80 grams a year in Iran.