MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine fisheries exports 510.000 tons in ten months

Argentine fisheries exports (sea and fluvial; fresh and processed) during the first ten months of 2006 totaled 510.223 tons representing over a billion US dollars, according to the latest report from Senasa, Agro-food Health and Quality Service

Fisheries exports in 2005 totaled 445.363 tons equivalent to 798 million US dollars. Comparing the first ten months of last year with 2006, the volume of exports increased 47% and the value 68% (346.502 tons and 640 million US dollars). Fish exports in the first ten months of 2006 increased 8% in volume (300.070 tons) and 17% in US dollars (457 million). The main destinations of Argentine fish exports were Spain, 40.566 tons and Brazil, 36.708 tons. Senasa figures show hake was the main export with 128.737 tons, followed by hoki, 24.669 tons; shad, 22.204 tons and croaker 20.477 tons. Fresh and processed shell fish exports January/October totaled 210.183 tons and 619 million US dollars, which represent 119% and 113% increases over the same period last year (95.552 tons and 290 million US dollars). Spain was the main recipient with 112.638 tons equivalent to 372 million US dollars, followed by China with 39.512 tons and 35 million US dollars; Italy, 14.668 tons and 70.5 million US dollars; Japan, 12.580 tons and 38.9 million US dollars. Main export items, squid, 150.879 tons and shrimp, 37.579 tons.