MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine Jan-April fisheries exports total 315 million

Argentine fish and shellfish exports including by products reached 315 million US dollars in the first four months of 2006, according to a release from the National Service of Health and Agro-Food Quality, Senasa.

Compared to the same period a year ago earnings increased by 19% and export volume by 32%, totalling 196.543 tons in Jan-April this year.

"The difference between both periods amounted to 677 shipments, 11% up from last year's 6.981", added Senasa's report.

The good showing was based on good catches of hake, squid and shrimp with respective exports reaching 59.598 tons, valued 101 million US dollars; 69.844 tons and 75.8 million US dollars and 2.659 tons valued 30.2 million US dollars.

Other export included: 2.748 tons of Patagonian scallop worth 24.6 million US dollars; 9.641 tons of hoki, 14.6 million US dollars; 9.070 tonnes of anchovy, 12.6 million US dollars and 3.591 tons of kingclip 9.2 million.

Argentina's main markets for the period were Spain with 63.698 tons and 109.7 million US dollars; Brazil, 35.2 million US dollars; France, 24.2 million and United States19.4 million US dollars.

Other mayor market included Japan, 12 million US dollars; Russia, 9.8 million and China 9.4 million. (FIS/MP).