Argentine fisheries exports in the first half of the year totaled 236,000 tons valued at US$ 855 million according to the latest report from the CaPeCa, the Argentine Chamber of fishing vessels with freezing capacity. Spain and China figure as the main clients but there is a considerable price difference in some catch produce compared to a year ago.
Hard times ahead for fisheries exports. According to a paper circulated among members of Argentina's different fish industry chambers foreign market prospects are not encouraging since the main markets, Spain, Italy, China and the United States, are suffering the greatest impact from the coronavirus pandemic.
In seven months of the current year, landings in the Argentine port of Mar del Plata reached 210.000 tons, which is 3.3% more than the same period a year ago, according to local fisheries authorities. Hake, apparently, helped with the positive difference since squid landings were notoriously lower.
Argentina's fish, seafood and sea shell landings increased 8.8% during the first six months of the year compared to the same period in 2018. Exports, on the other hand, slid 0.3% as did income generated, 2.9%, according to the latest release from the country's Fisheries Under Secretariat.