MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine January fisheries exports reach 48 million USD

Argentine fish exports totalled 48 million US dollars last January, up 16% over a year ago, 41.3 million US dollars, according to the latest release from the country's National Health and Agro-Food Quality Service (SENASA).

However the volume of exported fresh and processed sea and river fish experienced a slight decline, 32.388 tons compared to 32.485 tons a year ago. The main markets in January were Spain with 7.216 tons and Brazil, 4.700 tons. Followed by United States, 1.877 tons; Germany, 1.652 tons; Russia, 1.513 tons; Italy, 1.503 tons; Colombia, 1.429 tons; Ukraine, 1.291 tons and Morocco 1.069 tons.

According to SENASA, the main product exported was common hake (Merluccius hubbsi), totalling 16.912 tons. Other exports included 4.692 tons of anchovy (Engraulis anchoita); 3.230 tons of shad (Prochilodus lineatus); 1.559 tons of hoki (Macruronus magellanicus) and 919 tonnes of Pollock (Genypterus blacodes).

SENASA pointed out that controlled processing for fisheries produce includes gutting and quick freezing in factory vessels, to later be filleted and block cut at the cold storage plant. Packaging and labelling in hermetically sealed bags is the last stage. (MP/FIS).-