A report of the Chamber of Fishing and Freezer Shipowners of Argentina (CAPeCA) highlighted the continuous growth of exports of the sector, which includes an increase in foreign exchange backed by the number of tons sold, in a context of global fall in fishing industry prices.
“In the period from January to August of 2023 were exported 299 thousand tons of fish and seafood USD 1,156 million and in the same period of 2024 were exported 362 thousand tons by USD 1,374 million. The increase was 18% in volume and 16% in currency. “More raw materials for less money,” the report states.
The study corresponds to the trend recorded by the Fisheries Industrial Production Index (IPIP)which in May of this year reported that there was a growth of 21.6% year-on-year, while in June the activity of the sector increased by 35.5% compared to the same period in 2023. In that sense, the first semester accumulated an advance of 23.3%.
Fishing industry: what was the most exported
The CAPeCA report showed a significant growth in exports of whole shrimp: 164% in Japan, 107% in Spain and 100% in Italy. “The price for ton was located in the US$5,617but Spain took more than 29 thousand tons and paid for below that value. The price that was obtained was better Italy and Japanbut in these markets, although main, demand is more moderate, around 8 thousand tons each one”, he specifies.
He also points out that “the paverage shrimp strength had a increase in this period of 2.4%; but it did not manage to recover from the downward trend that the market had in the last almost four years.” “However, it was not enough to match the demand of 2021, since in recent years the drop was notable. In total, 54 thousand tonsa 61% more than in 2023but less than in 2021when for this period they had sold 58 thousand tons”adds the study.
On the other hand, sales of hubbsi hake fillet 14% in volume and without variation in price in the period analyzed. In total, they were exported 44 thousand tons at an average price of u$s 3,220, collecting US$142 million. “It was positive recovery of the Brazil marketin volume it is at 2022 levels, although the price of hake remains almost as low as last year, u$s 3,289 a ton“says the study.
In this production, Spain It is also a fundamental destination for Argentine fishing: “It is the second most important market, demand rose slightly and the price remained the same, the same thing happening with USA“Although in this case and despite being the third most important market, the volumes handled are much lower, between 3 thousand and 4 thousand tons.”
A particular situation was recorded with the Illex squid: both demand and price rose. They were exported 142 thousand tons that involved a 20% rebound and was sold to u$s 2,540a 14% more expensive than in 2023. China required 44% more than in 2023 and Singapore a 37%. Korea bought a 17% less and paid the lowest price, at the rate of u$s 2,310 a ton. Spain It occupies fourth place in importance by price: 9,400 tons were sold at a value of US$3,420.
Source: Ambito
