Harvesting farmed scallops. (Photo: Acuapesca)
PERUFriday, January 30, 2015, 21:20 (GMT + 9)
Between January and November 2014, scallops were exported for USD 115.1 million, a figure that reflects a 17.4 per cent fall over the same period last year.
According to the Association of Exporters (ADEX), this decline was due to lower farming of the product in the country.
ADEX’s Services and Fishing Industry Management reported that some companies went out of business following the expiration of the Aquaculture Promotion Act, on 31 December 2013.
Moreover, in 2014, environmental problems and stock shortage influenced the low production of the mollusc.
Jose Luis Bellina, director of Acuapesca aquaculture firm, complains that formal entrepreneurs compete on unequal terms with sea farmers who manage the so-called repopulation pens in Sechura.
These producers are not subject to labour, environmental or tax audit by the Government, therefore, they have lower operating costs.
ADEX's report indicates that France is the largest importer of Peruvian scallops, with purchases worth USD 50.6 million, up 9.8 per cent over the same period of 2013 (USD 46 million).
United States was second with USD 21.9 million, 59 per cent less than in the first 11 months of 2013.
Belgium is ranked third (USD 13.2 million), followed by Canada (USD 5.6 million), Italy (USD 5.1 million), Netherlands (USD 4 million), Spain, the UK and Chile.
Meanwhile, China and Russia are potential markets for sending the Peruvian mollusc, ADEX highlights.
The main exporters of Peruvian scallops between January and November 2014 wereInversiones Prisco S.A.C., Corporacion Refrigerados INY S.A., Seafrost S.A.C., Acuapesca, Pesquera San Simone S.A.C. and Pesquera Exalmar S.A.