Shrimp capture. (Photo: Stock File)
ARGENTINA
Friday, August 29, 2014, 22:20 (GMT + 9)
Argentina exported 237,789 tonnes of seafood between January and July, 2014, a figure which shows an increase of 4.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2013, when 228,062 tonnes were shipped abroad.
According to statistics from the National Health and Food Quality Service (SENASA), in the first seven months of this year 125,718 tonnes of fish were exported, that is to say, 5.5 per cent less than in the same period in 2013 (132,970 tonnes).
Until July, 2014 a total of 112,080 tonnes of shellfish was also exported, 17.8 per cent more than in the same period last year, when 95,092 tonnes were sold overseas.
The highest export records were those of hake (Merluccius hubbsi), with 61,104 tonnes, 2.9 per cent less than the 62,8882 tonnes that were exported between January and July, 2013.
It was followed by squid (Illex argentinus), with 46,083 tonnes, 28.5 per cent less than during the first seven months last year (64,403 tonnes), and shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri), with 34,158 tonnes, 39.9 per cent more than during the same period last year (24,415 tonnes).
Among the resources that increased their shipments abroad are stingray (Potamotrygon brachyura), whose sales grew by 26.3 per cent, changing from 3,240 tonnes to 4,093 tonnes.
The species that recorded declines when comparing the first seven months of 2014 with the same period last year were:
- Patagonian anchovy (Engraulis anchoita): 0,8 per cent, changing from 5,193 to 5,155 tonnes;
- Patagonian scallop (Zygochlamys patagonica): 10.3 per cent, from 3,926 to 3,525 tonnes;
- Weakfish (Cynoscion striatus): 25.5 per cent, from 8,114 to 6,051 tonnes;
- Hoki (Macruronus magellanicus): 12.2 per cent; from 8,743 to 7,685 tonnes;
- Whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri): 14.7 per cent; from 18,345 to 15,650 tonnes;
- Kingclip (Genypterus blacodes): 26.6 per cent; from 1,395 to 1,025 tonnes.