MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine fish exports over 360 million US dollars

Argentine health authorities certified 279,029 tonnes of fresh and sea water fish exports between during the first ten months of 2003, with a total value of almost 36e million US dollars. This represents a 27% increase in volume and 24% increase in value compared to January-October 2002.

According to information provided by the Argentine National Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa), during the first ten months of last year, 219,575 tonnes of exports were certified valued 293.63 million US dollars.

The main export was hake with 152,781 tonnes, followed by 24,848 tonnes of shad, 18,970 tonnes of hoki, 11,266 tonnes of meagre, 7,684 tonnes of anchovy and 6,348 tonnes of Pollack.

According to Senasa, the main export destinations were Spain with 47,834 tonnes ? USD 74,477,000; Brazil 31,006 tonnes ? USD 37,057,000; Germany: 30,741 tonnes ? USD 41,521,000; United States 19,083 tonnes ? USD 34,995,000; Italy, 16,224 tonnes ? USD 23,659,000 and Holland, 13,714 tonnes ? USD 16,435,000.

Other destinations include Colombia with 15,198 tonnes; Poland, 9,614 tonnes; Japan, 9,259 tonnes; Uruguay, 8,908 tonnes; China, 8,748 tonnes; Israel, 7,412 tonnes and France, 6,926 tonnes. (FIS/MP).-