MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine fish and shellfish exports pick up in first quarter

Frozen pink shrimp for export. Shrimp was Argentina's second most important export in the year through March.

Argentina exported 88.987 tons of fish and shellfish valued at 209.3 million US dollars in the first three months of 2009, according to the latest statistics from the National Food Safety and Quality Service (SENASA).

This represents 4.2% increase in volume 18.4% in value over the same quarter last year, when 85.320 tons worth 176.7 million USD were exported.

SENASA certified 72.366 tons of fish exports, valued 155.7 million US dollars and 16.621 tons of shellfish, 53.6 million USD between January and March 2009. The main item was common hake ( Merluccius hubbsi) with 31.194 tons worth 73.7 million USD.

In terms of export sales, shrimp ( Pleoticus muelleri) with 4.018 tons and 28.9 million USD ranked second; followed by Argentine anchovies (Engraulis anchoita) 6.925 tons, 14 million USD; and Hoki (Macruronus magellanicus) 6.184 tons, 11 million USD.

Next in line was squid ( Illex argentinus) exports with 9.802 tons, worth 9.4 million; golden kingclip (Genypterus blacodes) with 1.640 tons and 6.8 million USD; great Atlantic scallop (Zygochlamys patagonica) with 2.592 tons worth 14.2 million; Patagonian flounder (Paralichthys patagonicus) 790 tons and 3.4 million; and stingray (Potamotrygon brachyura) with 1.193 tons worth 2.5 million, among other species.

Spain imported 14.704 tons of Argentine fish and shellfish worth 47 million USD in the first quarter of 2009, followed Brazil with 17.079 tons and 40.4 million USD; then Italy, with 4.410 tons, 14.9 million USD and US, with 3.968 tons equivalent to 12.2 million USD. (FIS).-