COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has earned a profit of Rs. 1.2 billion by exporting fish in 2016, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera revealed at a progress and performance review meeting held at the Ministry.
At the meeting, the Minister also gave directives to the officials regarding the fisheries development programs and projects for 2017.
According to the statistics of the Ministry, fish exports income in 2016 was reported as Rs.1.2 billion.
“Such an achievement was possible due to the high demand in the international market for Sri Lankan Crab, Shrimp, Lobster and live fish. However, we are still catering only to 1/3 of the total requirement,” the Minister said.
Fish imports income in 2015 was Rs. 20.336 billion and in 2016 it has become Rs. 21.539 billion generating a profit of Rs. 1.203 billion. Even though the amount of exported fish has reduced by 2.6 percent the income of fish exports has increased due to the high price.
With the lifting of EU fish ban in June 2016 fish exports have increased. However, the fish exports to European countries are not included in these statistics.
