MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay fisheries exports reach 33.921 tons in first half of the year

Hake and croaker were the main export items

Uruguay fisheries exports during the first half of the year reached 33.921 tons, which represent a 13.2% increase over the same period a year ago, while in money terms sales totaled 76.6 million dollars, up 17.7%, according to the latest release from Aquatic Resources National Office, DINARA, published in the official government portal.

Hake, croaker and blue shark were the species with the highest percentage both in volume and value. Hake in the first half of 2014 totaled 7.644 tons and 22.3 million dollars; croaker, 9.572 tons and 18 million dollars while blue shark, 2.982 tons and 9.3 million dollars.

The average price per ton of the produce exported was 2.299 dollars which is 3.98% higher than in the first half of 2013.

The main markets are Brazil, Italy and China; Brazil took 7.217 tons (18.4m dollars); Italy, 1.707 tons (8.7m) and China 3.033 tons (7.4m). Whole and frozen eviscerated was the leading item with 51m dollars and 26.709 tons. Filets followed with 3.774 tons and 16m and finally ‘brown caviar’, 4 million dollars.