Sales of fish preparations and canned fish, caviar and its substitutes prepared with fish roe in the Central American region remained relatively stable, with a value of $22.3 million and 4,182 tons, with El Salvador being the main exporter with $82 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [ GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
The Law of Fisheries, Aquaculture and related activities was published in the Official Gazette. The law promotes the training of fishermen and establishes the participation of the sector in decision making.
The new legal framework establishes a National Fisheries Conservation and Administration Plan, creates the National Fisheries Information and Statistics System, eliminates discretionally in fisheries management and promotes good fishing practices.
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.
Because of the health alert for the coronavirus outbreak, it was decided to extend the licenses of artisanal and industrial fishermen for 60 days, and the health records that importing companies renew will be extended for three months.
The Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (Arap) issued resolutions No. 28, 29 and 30, by which it extends until May 31, 2020 fishing licenses for international service, coastal and industrial domestic service and the card to artisanal fishermen, whose expiration date is between March 1 and May 31, 2020.
The Panamanian government has authorized Forever Oceans Panama, S.A. to invest $50 million in a fish farming project in Charco Azul Bay, Puerto Armuelles.
Aquatic Resources Authority (ARAP) administrator Flor Torrijos handed over the resolution authorizing the fish farming operation in an area of more than 58,000 hectares to company representatives, the Presidency reported.
Since the country has not made enough efforts to eradicate illegal fishing, the European Union sanctioned it with a yellow card, a warning that precedes the red card, which if applied would prohibit the entry of Panamanian fishery products into Europe.
After the corresponding audits were carried out, the sanction to Panama dated December 16, 2019 was issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Union (DG Mare).
A farm dedicated to fish breeding and harvesting is planned in Baru, Panama, consisting of 29 production cages and 10 research cages in the open sea.
Forever Oceans Panama, S.A. presented the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) to develop the project called "Open sea cages and marine fish laboratory", where intensive cultivation of marine fish native to the Gulf of Chiriqui will be carried out.
Between February 2016 and June 2018, the average price of Central American exports of prepared and preserved fish increased 38%, from $3.72 to $5.13 per kilo.
Figures from the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
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"]
Manufacturing, fishery and aquaculture exports accounted for most of the 60% increase in sales from Chile to Panama between 2016 and 2017.
Exports in the fishing sector include salmon and trout, which grew by 46% in the period in question, going from $6.2 million in 2016 to $9 million in 2017, according to figures from a report by the country's South American trade promotion body, ProChile.
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.