MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Per capita fish consumption in Brazil increased 40% from 2003 to 2009

Brazilian fish market

Brazilians have increased their annual fish consumption by almost 40% between 2003 and 2009, from 6.46 kilos to 9.03 kg per capita, according to a report from the country’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA).

With the implementation of the program 'More Fisheries and Aquaculture', MPA goal of an average consumption of 9 kg by 2011, was accomplished a year earlier. According to the World Health Organisation, ideally, each person should consume around 12 kg of fish annually.

Head of MPA, Minister Altemir Gregolin said the increase in domestic consumption is the result of the Brazilian government’s efforts to develop fisheries and aquaculture, particularly farming fish in captivity, plus an overall increase in Brazilian per capital average income.

The report, Fish Consumption per capita in Brazil, states that the average annual growth of fish consumption was 6%. However 2008/2009 was exceptional since the increase was of 8%, from 1.5 million to 1.7 million tons. Research also indicates that 96% of domestic production was sold in Brazil, and the rest exported.

Furthermore, in the last three years (2006 to 2009), the report showed total consumption had a ratio of 70% domestic production and 30% imported.

Gregolin estimated that Brazil has the potential to produce up to 20 million tons of fish per year, because of its 8,000 miles of coastline.

“The country has an extremely favourable fisheries potential to develop in the medium and long term. Our goal for 2011 is to reach 1.4 million tons. Over the next five years, we will now be able to reach over two million tons,” said the minister.

The research results were reported during the 7th edition of Fish Week. (FIS)