MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile fisheries exports in first five months total 1.7 billion

Chilean fishery exports in the first five months of 2007 generated 1,707 billion US dollars, up 21.3% compared to the same period in 2006, when returns totaled 1,407 billion, according to the latest release from the Fisheries Sub Secretariat, SUBPESCA.

The Jan/May exported volume increased 5.5% from 600.695 tonnes to 633.639 tons. Frozen products sales were the largest representing 40.9% of the total, followed by fishmeal products 36.6 per cent, and fresh chilled and canned products. The average price of exported fishery products to May was 2.7 US dollars per kilo, up 15% from the same 2006 period. According to SUBPESCA main export produce were Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout, 36.1% and 15.5% respectively of the total value of sales abroad. Rainbow trout and Pacific salmon sales rose the highest in value, though so did mussels and boneless pelagics, and boneless salmon. Chilean fishery produce was shipped to 108 countries, the main nine concentrated 80.6% of total value exported. Japan was the largest consumer, with purchases representing 26.2% in value followed by United States with 25.8%, China, 8.3% and Spain, 5%. The accumulated value of extractive fishing sector exports added up to 376.000 tonnes in May 2007, or 526 million US dollars, up 16.3% compared to the same period last year. In terms of export volumes, fishmeal led with a 55.9% share, followed by frozen produce, 26.4% and canned products, 8.8%. Fishmeal represented 90% of shipments as well as in volume. Main fishmeal markets: China, 42.6%; Japan, 14.5% and Germany, 6.1%. Frozen products exports in the first five months amounted to 141.7 million US dollars, a 14.1% per cent increase over the same period in 2006. Main markets United States, Nigeria, and Spain, with 21.6%, 18% and 13.9% shares. Regarding canned products, sales totaled 70.4 million US dollars, up 14.1% compared to the same period last year. Main markets, Spain, Sri Lanka and Singapore. SUBPESCA said chilled produce exports totaled 27.3 million US dollars, up 4% compared to the same period in 2006. Main markets Spain, US and Japan with 69.5%, 14.3% and 7.2% shares. As to the aquaculture sector, exports represented 69.2% of total fishery exports, 1.181 billion US dollars and 40.7% of total export volume, 258.000 tons which represent 23.7% and 17% increases over 2006. Aquaculture participation in the whole fresh chilled exports equaled 91.6% in value and 84.5% in volume. (FIS/MP).-