August 13, 2010

 

 

The Spanish province of Almeria in May 2010 recorded a 116% rise in seafood export volumes and a 124% increase in value, according to the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX). 

 

During the first five months of 2010, Almerian companies made around 118 sales transactions, almost triple the amount compared to the same period in 2009.

 

Until last May, these companies exported 1,380 tonnes of seafood, 72% more than last year.

 

Moreover, the value of these shipments totalled EUR 2.7 million (US$3.47 million), representing an increase of 153% over the same period in 2009.

 

According to ICEX, the increase is mainly due to production from aquaculture farms in the province.

 

The seafood industry is ninth in the ranking of exporters in Almeria, with 0.2% of the total. The main destination of Almerian shipments is Italy, who bought more than 37% of total fish exports.

 

The second market is Japan, especially in exports of tuna. Shipments to Japan exceeded EUR680,000 (US$875,000) between January and May this year.

 

In third place is Portugal, buying EUR491,000 (US$631,000), equivalent to 18% of the total.

 

Almeria seafood also exported to Denmark, Algeria, the US, France, Germany, Libya and Egypt.

 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries had developed programmes aimed at improving the quality of fresh fish products from fishing activities to distribution.

 

In 2009, the ministry contributed to the improvement and modernisation of the fisheries sector in Almeria with aid amounting to more than EUR12.7 million (US$16.3 million), a figure 60% higher than in 2008.

 

Of this total, EUR2.74 million (US$3.52 million) was allocated to the fishing ports of Almeria and Adra, and EUR513,000 (US$660,000) to assist the implementation of three projects which market and process fishery catches and aquaculture products.