MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine Jan-Nov 2006 fish & seafood exports top those of whole 2005

Argentina in the first 11 months of last year exported 550,000 tonnes of fresh and processed sea and river fish and seafood for 1.15 billion dollars, more than in the 12 months of 2005, when it sold abroad 445,000 tonnes for 799 million dollars, the SENASA phytosanitary watchdog said in a report yesterday.

The January-November 2005 exports meant a 36 percent volume increase and a 57 percent revenue increase as compared to those of the same period of 2005, when 404,000 tonnes were exported for 729 million dollars. Exports of fresh and processed sea and river fish totalled 331,000 tonnes for 508 million dollars, an eight percent increase in volume and an 18 percent increase in revenue as compared to the January-November 2005 period, when 305,000 tonnes were sold abroad for 430 million dollars. Brazil, Argentina's largest trading partner, was the second-largest buyer of fresh and processed sea and river fish with purchases of 41,000 tonnes for 72 million dollars, only second to Spain, that bought 43,400 tonnes for 74 million dollars. Other destinations were the US (24,000 tonnes), Italy (19,000), Nigeria (18,000), Germany (14,500), Russia (14,500), Colombia (12,000), Japan (11,000), China (9,600), France (9,600), Israel (8,900), Ukraine (7,900), Uruguay (7,800) and South Korea (6,600 tonnes). There were also some sales to Poland, Morocco, Australia, Hungary, Jordan and Croatia. The main export product was hake, with a total of 163,000 tonnes. Regarding fresh and processed seafood, in January-November 2005 Argentina exported 219,000 tonnes for 642 million dollars, an increase of 122 percent in volume and of 114 percent in revenue as compared to the same period of 2005, when the country sold abroad 99,000 tonnes for 299 million dollars. The main destinations for seafood were Spain (116,000 tonnes for 379 million dollars), China (40,000 tonnes for 35.5 million dollars), Italy 16,000 tonnes for 79 million dollars) and Japan (13,600 tonnes for 39 million dollars). The main products exported were squid sheaths (83,500 tonnes), whole squid (70,600 tonnes) and shrimp (40,000 tonnes). Guillermo Háskel â€" MercoPress â€" Buenos Aires