MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay's fisheries first half 2007 exports totaled 61.000 tons

Uruguayan fisheries exports reached 105 million US dollars in the first half of this year, which represents a 13% increase over the same period a year ago according to Daniel Montiel, head of the Uruguay's Aquatic Resources Office, Dinara.

Volume exported was 61.000 tons and is in line with last year's exports of 100.000 tons and revenue of 170 million US dollars. Montiel also revealed that since last year a new "temporary admission system" has enabled local plants to process fish that would otherwise be simply transhipped in Montevideo. "Last year Montevideo shipped 42 tons of fish oil, this year we are estimating 700 tons; in 2006, 215 tons of sharks passed through Montevideo, this year local plants are processing 4.000 tons, which is equivalent to ten million US dollars", said Montiel. Dinara's director added that with this system, processed produce is shipped with the appropriate international certification which means added value for the different species involved. Uruguay's main fisheries export is hake, which represents 30% of all shipments.