The growing uncertainty about the safety of seafood products exported from China, one of the world's leading producers, could represent an opportunity for Central American countries to gain some insight into the global market.
In this context of new commercial reality, the retail channel will continue to be the main demander in the short term for products that are easy to prepare such as tilapia, salmon, trout, shrimp and others with which consumers feel more comfortable cooking at home.
In the first quarter of the year sales of prepared and preserved fish from Central America totaled $34 million, and exports to the European country grew by 14% compared to the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Fish Preparations and Canned Fish in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In 2017, the value of Central American sales of fish, molluscs and crustaceans to companies in Mexico amounted to $69 million, 19% more than was exported in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the the Market for Fish, Molluscs and Crustaceans in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In 2016 sales of prepared and preserved fish from Central America totaled $110 million, and sales to the European country grew by 52% compared to 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Prepared and Conserved Fishin Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
In 2016 the value of exports of fish, molluscs and crustaceans reached $714 million, equivalent in volume to 114 thousand tons, 8% less than the amount sold in 2015.
Figures from the information system on thethe Market for Fish, Molluscs and Crustaceans in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit atCentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
The government and the private sector are discussing the possibility of eliminating the ban on industrial longline fishing that has been in place since 2010, and regulating the activity.
Between 2008 and 2016, fish exports fell from $419 million to $128 million, reflecting a decline in activity and loss of competitiveness compared to other countries such as Costa Rica and Ecuador, where industrial longline fishing is permitted.As a measure to revive the fishing industry, the government is evaluating eliminating the ban imposed by the Martinelli administration in 2010 and allowing use of this technique.
A proposal has been made to reform the law in order to better regulate the fisheries sector, which contributes 5% of GDP, expanding prohibited areas and implementing a moratorium on commercial fishing licenses.
Aware of the of the importance of industrial, commercial and sport fishing for the Panamanian economy, the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) is preparing a draft law to modernize the current fisheries legislation, which dates from 1959.
The Panamanian Food Safety Authority has temporarily banned seafood imports from Vietnam.
From the resolution published in the Official Newspaper La Gaceta:
"...Resolves:
FIRST: Order a temporary suspension of the sale of fishery products from the Republic of Vietnam, until its health authorities definitively clarify, using technical and scientific methods, that they are free of the bacteria "Vibrio cholerae" and therefore that the product may be imported and marketed safely in the Republic of Panama.
The Americas Tuna Conference 2016 (AMatuna2016) is a two-day tuna industry event that will take place in Panama City, Panama on January 28th and 29th at the Riu Plaza Hotel.
The Americas Tuna Conference 2016 (AMatuna2016) is a two-day tuna industry event that will take place in Panama City, Panama on January 28th and 29th at the Riu Plaza Hotel.
From November 9th to 13th companies in the sector will be meeting in Panama City to discuss issues related to sustainable use of marine resources and innovation in fishing methods.
The Fisheries Institute of the Gulf and the Caribbean reports that "... the focus of the event which will be "Two oceans, same coastal issues," reflects the interest of the membership of the GCFI, to include their peers from the Eastern Tropical Pacific (Costa American Pacific from southern Baja California in Mexico to northern Peru) at the annual meetings, with the intention of optimizing experiences and sharing lessons learned from facing similar problems, challenges and opportunities on both coasts of the Americas.
Only fish consumption of Panamanians is above the world average, with 23 kilos per capita per year.
The growth of purchasing power and increased choice of seafood explain the increased consumption among Panamanians, which averages around 23 kilos a year. The increased purchasing power of Panamanians is added to the growing industrialization in fish production, which along with the increase in marketing channels, increases product availability and consumption.
With a bill to incentivize development of the sector and other measures to provide facilities to farmers, the government aims to boost the growth of aquaculture in the country.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Ministry of Production of Peru announced a series of measures aimed at laying the foundations for sustainable development and launching aquaculture within the framework of the implementation of the National Plan for Productive Diversification.
Canned tuna is preferred over presentations in glass or tetra pak containers, with increased demand reported in varieties of yellow and albacore tuna.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The consumption of canned tuna in the Middle East is concentrated in Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which depend entirely on imports, coming mainly from Thailand (86.4%), Italy (7.4%) and other Southeast Asian countries among these, the Philippines and Indonesia, with 6.6%.
The Central Cruise Summit 2015 will be held in El Salvador, from 13 to 15 May, where it is expected that 15 corporations from the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association will be involved.
The Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR) hopes to have the participation of 30 union members who will be publicizing various tour packages offered by shipping lines.