BUENOS AIRES: The Directorate of Fisheries Economics reported that in the first five months of 2015 a total of 186,354 tonnes of seafood products were exported for USD 523.4 million, representing 3 per cent in volume and 0.1 per cent less in value over the same period of 2014.
Under the new Situation Report prepared by the Department, only in May 2015 the country exported 48,715 tonnes of seafood for USD 114.1 million, which is 13.7 per cent less in volume and 14 per cent less in value than in the fifth month of 2014.
Based on data provided by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INDEC), the Department indicated that in the first five months of this year 65,123 tonnes of molluscs were sent abroad for USD 95.7 million.
In addition, 47,797 tonnes of frozen fish — excluding fillets – were exported for USD 100 million; 29,559 tonnes of fillets and other fish meat were sent abroad for USD 96.4 million; 32,654 tonnes of shellfish worth USD 209.5 million were exported, among other items.
Argentina exported 34,201 tonnes of hake (Merluccius hubbsi) for USD 86.3 million, figures that represent an annual drop of 25.9 per cent in volume and 24.1 per cent in value.
In the first five months of this year 31,000 tonnes of shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) were sent abroad for USD 197.2 million, figures that reflect substantial increases over the same period of 2014: 33.9 per cent in volume and 24.4 per cent in value.
Furthermore, 62,860 tonnes of squid (Illex argentinus) were exported for USD 69.8 million, representing 1.7 per cent less in volume and 22.9 per cent less in value.
With regard to imports of fishery resources, the report from the Directorate details that 19,254 tonnes worth USD 70.9 million were imported between January and May this year.
