Image: Revista Puerto / FIS

Fishing exports of the first four-month period

The report prepared by CAPECA shows an increase of 1.3% in sales of fishery products compared to last year, for which the large volumes of shrimp tails have contributed. Whole shrimp continues to show a downward trend, while hubbsi hake shows some positive signs. The squid falls along with the catches.

Photo: Revista Puerto

The report prepared by the Chamber of Fishing and Freezer Shipowners of Argentina (CAPECA) for the month of April, indicates that total exports of primary products and manufactures of agricultural origin totaled 12,465 million dollars during the first four-month period, with the fishing sector representing 4.5% of the total. While exports of primary products fell by 42% and manufactures by 22%, exports from the fishing sector had a positive variation of 1.3%, totaling 565 million dollars. The monthly analysis shows the evolution of the markets for the main fishery products, highlighting the critical commercial situation of the shrimp.

Hake

Hubbsi hake, as stated by the main players in the fishing export sector, is one of the few products that remain stable. On the one hand, the exported value of the filet fell by 2.7%; but on the other, its average price increased by 2.3% compared to the same period last year. In volume, the drop was 5%, but this is not considered a worrying situation for traders. In total, 15 thousand tons have been sold in these four months, whose main destination has been Brazil, which represents 43% of the total exported. It is followed in order of importance by Spain, which takes 18% of the total. The average value at which this product has been sold is $3,259 per ton.

In the case of frozen hake in products that do not include fillets, total sales reached 7,808 tons. In this case, the drop in the volume of demand was 18% and in the collection of 16.4%, given that a 2.4% rise in the average price helped, which stood at $1,528 per ton. The main buyer is Russia, followed closely by South Africa, which this year has increased its demand by 230%. Together they represent 43% of the total exported. The average price is at $1,528 per ton.

Shrimp

Sales of whole shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) decreased in value by 37.2%, while the drop in volume was 24.3% and the price, at least until April, remained on the downward curve, falling 17% in the interannual variation of this period, but specifically in the month of April, according to CAPECA reports, the fall was 23.8%, leaving the average price at 5,277 dollars. At the Barcelona fair, many offered the product at a rate of $7,000 per ton, and although there were many inquiries, no shipments were made. “We have a contemplative market”, Antonio Solimeno said when we were already averaging the month of May.

9 thousand tons have been sold up to April 30. The main market, Spain, reduced its demand by 57% and still represents 31% of total exports. A reactivation is observed in the markets of Russia, China and Italy but they have not yet reached 2 thousand tons in this first four-month period. The highest values have been paid by Russia and China, with Spain being the destination with one of the lowest prices in the market, below the average. The large exporting companies of this product hope that China will decide to require the volumes that it knew how to handle before the pandemic in order to reverse this situation.

The situation of the shrimp tails market has a differentiated scenario in terms of export volumes, but the downward trend in prices is beginning to cause concern. After the Rawson season ended with record catches, the impact on prices began to be felt: "The greater production of this product brought the inevitable drop in prices and that trend continues," said Ventura Lafuente, president of CAPIP.

In total, 32 thousand tons have been exported in the first four months, 63.5% more than in the same period of 2022; and 56% more was collected in foreign currency, which shows the drop in the average price. The statistics place it in a fall of 4.6% but there is talk of up to 10% as well. The value per ton was an average of 7,475 dollars.

With a 310% increase in demand, China once again ranked first among the markets for shrimp tails, requiring 32% of the total exported. With 55% less volume, Spain is in second place among the destination markets, followed by Thailand and Peru with similar volumes, which allocate this raw material to the production of gondola products.

Squid

The Argentine illex had no price variations until April and this is bad news, given that catch volumes have fallen drastically: it is estimated that between 50 and 60% less will be caught than in 2022. The lower availability of product that offer has led to sales falling in the order of 12% until April 30. In companies that are only jiggers, this has a very strong impact, since these boats stop until next year and the fixed costs of the companies continue to operate.

It is hoped that by the end of the season, signs of a new cohort in the north could help pick up sales and perhaps lift the price as well. At the moment, 60,000 tons have been exported and the main buyer has been South Korea, followed by China and behind Singapore. The average price remained at $2,130 a ton and the main markets have paid below the average price.

Patagonian toothfish and king crab

For toothfish, the market situation is positive: sales increased by 32% and had a very slight variation in price with a drop of just 1% from an average value that last year climbed very high due to the problems. arising between the United States and Great Britain. The price per ton of this product is currently at $25,347 and the United States continues to be its main buyer.

In the case of king crab, a 40% drop in sales in volume has been observed, which saw its impact moderated by a 15% increase in the average farm, reaching $21,332 per ton. The main market for this product is the United States, but in the first quarter its demand fell by 39.5% compared to the same period last year.

Source: Revista Puerto

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