MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fish exports surpass traditional beef sales

Argentina: In 2002, exports of raw and processed fish and shellfish surpassed beef, both meat products and livestock, which is traditionally the country's staple export commodity.

The National Institute for Statistics and Census (Indec) revealed on 31 January this year that fish now occupies a higher place than beef, although raw fish and shellfish exports had decreased.

According to Indec, beef earned USD 574 million in export revenue, while seafood - mostly prepared products - earned USD 714 million.

The report also shows that, raw fish and shellfish exports were down 32 per cent from USD 709 million in 2001 to USD 480 million in 2002. At USD 234 million, there was little change in export revenue from processed seafood.

According to the Ministry of Production, the main consumers of domestic seafood products were Spain, Brazil, and US. Other markets that bought fish products during 2002 were Germany, Italy and Holland.

Indec estimates that total exports for the year will come to USD 25,346 million - five per cent less than 2001. This decline is mainly attributed to the drop in sales to Mercosur countries, which are down 25 per cent.

Source FIS