MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine fisheries exports recovered in 2013 with an increase in volume and value

Squid catches doubled partly because of 'the extension of the season'

Argentina fisheries exports reached 1.495 billion dollars last year which represents an 11.3% increase in value and 14.9% in volume compared to 2012, according to a report from the private consultant Investigaciones Economicas Sectoriales, IES. Squid played a leading role by doubling catches in 2013 with an extended season.

“The fisheries sector presented in 2013 an expansive scenario with an increase in catches and stability regarding export volumes” reads the report which adds that fisheries exports are now more significant than beef (higher 19% in value), and fish per capita consumption in Argentina climbed 20.6% to 9 kilos.

“This phenomenon was similar for all species, but dissimilar regarding the reaction magnitude. During 2013 total catches totaled 821.400 tons, up 18.7% over 2012, thus reversing the 5.6% drop recorded in 2012 over the previous year 2011”, points out IES.

Of total catches, 63,2% were classified as fish with 518.900 tons with a year to year expansion of 2.4%, mainly because of greater landings of hake.

Mollusks represented 24.1% (197.900 tons) with a very strong year-to-year jump, 96.6%, supported by the doubling of squid catches (101%), and partly because of 'the extension of the season beyond usual time'.

Regarding crustaceans they represented 12.7% of catches with a total of 104.600 tons, equivalent to a 23.8% increase motivated by the expansion of shrimp catches (25.8% and 100.500 tons), slightly compensated by the drop of other species”.

Regarding consumption of fish and seafood, according to sales in the domestic market plus imports, in 2013 it reached 362.500 tons, up 20.6% year to year, which helped compensate the 6.7% drop for the whole of 2012.

Thus per capita consumption in 2013 was 9 kilos, up from the 7.5 kilos of 2012, up 20%.

However the dynamics of Argentina's fisheries is the export market, which traditionally represents 61% of all catches.

Exports in value and volume were concentrated in four main species, which last year absorbed 96% of value and 93% of the exported tonnage, indicates the report.

The main destination of Argentine fisheries exports last year, was as in 2012, Spain with 420 million dollars or 28.1% of the total.