Salmon processing. (Photo: SalmonChile)
Chilean seafood exporters could benefit from Russia’s retaliation
CHILE
Friday, August 08, 2014, 22:50 (GMT + 9)
The Russian-Chilean Chamber of Commerce A.G. has requested local entrepreneurs and producers to act quickly in order to take advantage of the business opportunities that are emerging following the Russian government’s decision to ban the import of seafood products from the European Union (EU) and the United States, among other Western markets.
The union president, Fernando Belloni, estimates that the country could be able to triple its exports to Russia.
This week, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) from Russia began having meetings with ambassadors from different nations of Latin America to assess the possibilities of increasing exports of seafood products, among other food products, to the Russian market.
Taking this opportunity depends only on "how fast Chilean producers and entrepreneurs act," stated Belloni, according to the newspaper El Mercurio.
"I do not doubt that we would increase exports up to three times, it is as if we signed a free trade agreement, whose amount could exceed USD 1,000 million," he added.
"We sell all our salmon to the United States and Western Europe, it is always helpful to have a backup plan to market the products, as in this case Russia," Belloni pointed out.
Some major countries exporting fishery products to the Russian market are Norway, Spain, Australia and Portugal.
Meanwhile, officials from the General Directorate of International Economic Relations (DIRECON) and ProChile told Aqua they still have not had "the official history of the latest decisions Russia might have taken on its food imports."
According to DIRECON Studies Department, "the trade balance is positive for Chile, which has also been increasing, reaching a maximum of USD 588 million in 2013, due to the export rise."
As to the 2014 data, in the first quarter Chile exported salmon for USD 58 million to the Russian market, compared to USD 28 million in the same period of 2013.
Related articles:
- Russian ban on Norwegian seafood poses 'a challenging situation'
- Russia bans food imports to retaliate against sanctions
By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
Photo Courtesy of FIS Member SalmonChile - Asociación de la Industria del Salmón A.G
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