Peru's seafood exports will rebound in the second half of this year regardless of the global credit predicament, Humberto Speziani Cuevas, president of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Committee of the Exporters Association (ADEX) told the news agency Andina.
The country's seafood exports in the first two months of 2009 were valued at USD 341.3 million (EUR 259.1 million), down 21 percent from the same period last year, ADEX reported. The depreciation of the euro against the dollar and the global economic downturn all contributed to the decline, said Speziani Cuevas.
However, he anticipates that in the second half of 2009 some seafood exports, such as fishmeal, will increase.
In the first two months of this year, Peru's fishmeal exports were valued at USD 208.3 million (EUR 158.1 million), according to ADEX. Fishmeal prices started rising in November 2008, and the government's pledge to increase the quota is expected to clear the way for increased production.
In addition to fishmeal, squid, cuttlefish, mackerel and shrimp are among Peru's top seafood exports. China, Taiwan, Japan, Spain, Germany, the United States, Canada, France, Belgium and Denmark are among the top destinations of Peruvian seafood.
Japan looks to become a more prevalent market for Peruvian product with a free trade agreement between the two countries looming, according to the Peruvian-Japanese Business Council (Cepeja).
April 16, 2009
