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Shrimp processing. (Photo: Ministerio de Agroindustria)
Fewer obstacles jam Argentine shrimp exports to China
(ARGENTINA, 8/15/2016)
Thanks to the efforts initiated by Argentina, China approved the maximum limit for sulphites (sodium metabisulfite) in shrimp, which will make it possible for shrimp caught in Argentine waters to be exported "without the obstacles faced in the last two years to enter the giant Asian market,” the Ministry of Agro Industry of the Nation reported.
Sulphites are an essential additive in these product trade, since they prevent their blackening process, but countries take as a precaution the mandatory statement in labeling for safety issues.
In a statement, the Ministry recalled that in 2014, exports of shrimp from Argentina and other countries began to have trouble entering China due to regulatory changes in this country that resulted in the omission of a ceiling for sulphites in shrimp, squid and crab meat.
The approval of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHFPC) is the result of joint work carried out by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the National Directorate of International Agrifood Relations (DNRAI) of the the Undersecretariat of Agroindustrial Markets, the National Health and Food Quality Service (SENASA) and the Agricultural Secretariat in Beijing, following the submission of a request by the Argentine government in January 2015.
The NHFPC published the Announcement No. 9/16, dated August 3 this year, on its website, through which it approves an amendment to the standard GB 2760-2014 in order to include the extension in the use of eight food additives, including sodium metabisulphite (SO2) in fishery products (specifically shrimp and crabs), as fresh and frozen products with a maximum tolerance of 0.1 g/kg.
SENASA stressed the level set in the standard is in line with the request made by Argentina to the NHFPC on January 22, 2015 through a note from the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Nation, based on the recommendations set by the General Standard for Food Additives of the Codex Alimentarius (CODEX STAN 192-1995, including revisions up to 2014) of 100 mg/kg.
Official statistics show that the shrimp caught in the Argentine Sea have had strong growth in the Chinese market, where they are prized for their excellent quality and price. According to INDEC, in 2014 exports totalled 8,869 tonnes worth USD 67 million; in 2015 a total of 20,521 tonnes worth USD 137 million were shipped and so far, this year (through June), and 13,155 tonnes were exported for USD 82 million.
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