Photo by Revista Puerto

Official statistics of total exports of Argentine seafood products for 2020

ARGENTINA
Friday, March 05, 2021, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

The Official Report shows an increase in sales volume of 4% but a drop in collection of 7%. The squid made it possible to cushion the impact since in most species the collection fell. Landings for January 2021 were also reported with an increase of 12%.

The detailed report on exports by species prepared by the Subsecretaria de Pesca in Argentina shows the final result of exports in 2020. 498 thousand tons were exported for 1,729 million dollars, figures that represent an increase in volume of 4% and a fall in revenue collection. 7%. Of the main products, only molluscs had a relevant positive balance, they grew 74% in volume and 75% in foreign exchange, while the majority fell drastically, especially in collection, even despite having sold, in some cases, more tons than in 2019. 1% less of frozen fish was sold and 13% less was collected; in filets the drop in volume was 12.5% ​​and in foreign currency 23%. In crustaceans, both in volume and in foreign currency, the fall was 21%, which allows us to conclude that the final number was not worse only for squid.

Seafood export from Mar del Plata port (Photo: Revista Puerto)

In the classification by species, it is reported that 100,000 tons of hubbsi hake were sold for 221 million dollars at an average price of 2,205 dollars, values ​​that represent a drop in volume of 9% and 20% in collection, generated by a decrease at the price of 12%. Of the presentations such as H&G, 38 thousand tons were sold for 53 million dollars at an average value of 1,400 dollars, which implies falls of 4%, 11% and 8% respectively. In the case of filet, the drops were greater: the almost 60 thousand tons exported imply a drop of 12% in volume, the value of the product traded at 2,700 dollars, suffering a drop of 12%, which resulted in a collection of 161 million dollars, 22% below what was collected in 2019.

In shrimp, the sale of 130 thousand tons implied a fall of 21% and the collection of 829 million dollars a decrease in foreign currency of the same level. Whole shrimp exports fell 37% in volume, were 67 thousand tons for which 380 million dollars were received. The drop in foreign currency was of the same magnitude because the average price of $ 5,630 remained stable, as low as in 2019. In the case of the tails, the sales volume increased by 7% with 62 thousand tons exported for 450 million dollars , being tied with the collection of 2019 since the average price fell at a rate of 6.5%, remaining at 7,200 dollars per ton.

Hubbsi hake (Photo: Moscuzza Group)

The illex squid, as has been said throughout 2020, was the great savior. 148 thousand tons were exported for 395 million dollars at an average value of 2,670 dollars; These values ​​imply a 76% increase in volume, 88% in foreign currency and a 7% price increase compared to 2019. 137 thousand tons of whole were sold for 351 million dollars; In volume, this implies an increase of 78% and 95% in foreign exchange, with a 9% rise in price. 92.4% of the squid left whole, since reprocessing on land has not even reached 8% of the total. Only 8 thousand tons of pods were exported and of tentacles just over 2 thousand tons. The value of these products is practically double that of the whole.

Of the few species that have had a positive balance in exports together with squid are rays and pollock, two species protected due to their high vulnerability. In the case of rays, 6,500 tons were sold for 23 million dollars at an average price of almost 3,500 dollars, which implies an increase of 11% in volume and 20% in foreign exchange thanks to the 8% increase in the average price. Pollock was exported almost 40% more than in 2019 (1,129 tons) but 21.5% less was collected because the price fell 13%, paying 5,160 dollars per ton.

Shrimp (Photo: Moscuzza Group)

2,800 tons of toothfish were sold for $ 42 million and the average price was $ 15,000. Sales volume fell by 7% but collection by 22%, because the price fell 16% compared to 2019. Hoki increased in sales volume by 3% but fell by 18.5% in collection; the 4 thousand tons were sold for just over 8 million dollars.

Of croaker 25 thousand tons were sold for 31 million dollars; the volume increased by almost 2% but the collection fell by 13%, because the price dropped 14.5%. Crabs fell in the same proportion as shrimp, 21% in volume and revenue: 1,300 tons were exported for just over 22 million dollars. Scallop, which is a complicated species in abundance, with key areas closed off, there is no public data on exports.

Illex Squid (Photo: Moscuzza Group)

In the analysis of the destination of exports, the report of the Subsecretaria Argentina reaches November 31. The accumulated until then resulted in China being the main market with just over 103 thousand tons and we received 342 million dollars from that country. Spain, which is in second place, required 65 thousand tons and for them we received 305 million dollars. The United States bought 22 thousand tons and paid out 137 million dollars. From Italy and Japan, with 21 thousand tons each, we received 109 million from the first and 86 million from the second, with a better response from Japan than in 2019. The Brazilian market fell from fifth to seventh place, placing it below Republican Korea, a situation which is expected to be reversed from now on with the access of the shrimp to the Rio de Janeiro country. Compared to the same period last year, there was a drop in sales volume and even more so in collection, averaging a 10% drop in the main markets.

LANDINGS IN THE FIRST MONTH OF 2021

Landings in the month of January improved the 2020 values ​​by 12.4% but were 28% below 2019; in total 48 thousand tons were unloaded. The difference in both the rise and fall was marked by the squid. At the beginning of 2021, twice as much as last year and less than half the previous year were caught. 10,127 tons were unloaded on day 31. In the case of shrimp, there was a decrease in catches compared to the last two years, going from 23 thousand to 19,800 tons. Hake catches decreased, but not significantly, reaching 8 thousand tons. Hoki this year started with good catches compared to last year, which did not register landings in January, but the 2,600 tonnes recorded are almost half of what was caught in 2019. Scallop catches, with 600 tonnes, presented the best figures for the last three years for January.

Shrimper trawler and squid jigger (Photo: Moscuzza Group)

As the year begins with intense activity in Rawson's yellow fleet, the records show the coastal ones as the fleet with the highest volume of discharges. With 21 thousand tons they are placed well above the jiggers, which registered 9 thousand tons; the fresqueros 8 thousand, the surimeros 4 thousand and the freezer trawlers 3 thousand tons.

It was precisely the port of the city of Rawson that occupied the first place of landings only with the capture of the coastal ones; below was the city of Mar de Plata with less than 9 thousand tons and in third place was the ciry of Puerto Deseado with 6 thousand five hundred tons, improving the discharges of 2020 by almost 60% but 45% below those of 2019. Puerto Madryn (city in the province of Chubut in Argentina), with 3,000 tons, it remained at the same levels as last year, as did Comodoro Rivadavia (city in the province of Chubut in Argentina) and Caleta Olivia ((city in the province of Santa Cruz in Argentina) with 1,300 tons. San Antonio Oeste continues to show very low numbers: only 231 tons until January 31. 

Author: Karina Fernandez / Revista Puerto (article available only in Spanish)

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

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