MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Strong drop in Uruguay fisheries exports in 2012; Nigeria becomes main market

White croaker became the main export item displacing hake

Uruguay fisheries exports last year totaled 79.768 tons valued at 189 million dollars which is a considerable drop from 2011 with 102.500 tons and 236 million dollars. White croaker and hake were the main export items and Nigeria displaced the European Union as the main market.

 In effect Nigeria together with the EU and Brazil absorbed 64% of all Uruguay's fisheries exports according to the latest stats release from the country's National Office of Aquatic Resources, DINARA.

Fisheries exports represent 1.42% of Uruguay's total overseas sales reads the report which adds that Mercosur norm 0303 “Frozen fish except filets” added to 131 million dollars and NMC 0304 “Filets and other fish”, to 40 million dollars which with 69% and 21% of FOB value, were the main export items.

As to the species, white croaker took first place (61.8 million dollars and 30.928 tons), followed by hake (55.9 million dollars and 15.663 tons) while a distant third was shark with 10.920 tons valued at 25.3 million dollars.

Hake was the item which experienced the greatest fall in exports in volume and value compared to 2011, 35% and 28% respectively. Main markets were Nigeria, 45.5 million dollars and 23.353 tons; the European Union, 39.7 million dollars and 7.424 tons and Brazil, 37 million dollars and 16.394 tons.