According to government reports, the anchovy, sardine and mackerel industry has had a good start to the year.
In Chile, the Under Secretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca) released its latest report, which shows good numbers for the beginning of the year. The total catch of anchovies, sardines and mackerel has reached 930,000 tons during the first quarter of the year, which means an increase of 8.8 percent compared with the same period of the previous year. However, this represents a drop of 24.2 percent compared with the five-year period of 2009 to 2013.
The results are impressive, though: Fisheries in the area showed an increase of 7 percent compared with last year, and a catch of 614,000 metric tons (MT) was register from January to March. The total pelagic catches were 551,600 MT, 27.8 percent more than during the first quarter of 2013. The main species were the common sardine (37.7 percent), anchovy (32.3 percent) and horse mackerel (20.5 percent).
It’s also been a good period for exports: Trade of sardines, anchovies and mackerel made USD 996.7 million (EUR 736.5 million) during January through March, an increase of 14.6 percent over the same period last year. However, with export volume at just 185,000 tons, 24.5 percent less than last year, the price difference is stark.
One of the key products that Chile produces with anchovies is fishmeal, prices of which continually increase. Last week, fishmeal or fish flour was set at USD 1,625 (EUR 1,201) per MT, 10.2 percent more than levels seen in December. An increase in the anchoveta catch volume would clearly help the fishmeal industry.
“The Chilean fishing industry, especially in the Northern regions, will have a very good year if we continue to get these catch numbers and the market keeps working in our favor,” says one industry insider.
