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 ten months of the year foreign sales of seafood products fell, except for shellfish and shrimp, which are growing at double digits.
Statistics from the Center for Export Procedures (CETREX) show that foreign sales of seafood grew by 19% compared to the first ten months of 2015, while exports of sea shrimp, recorded an increase of almost 13%.
New procedures now apply for certification and sanitary permits required to export fishery and aquaculture products.
The Center for Exports reports that since December 15, 2015 a new resolution is in effect which details inspection process to be carried out by fishery plants and aquaculture production centers to certify their products for export.
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%.
In 2014 production in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors increased by 28%, but due to low international prices export earnings declined by 8% compared to 2013.
Fisheries and aquaculture production in 2014, equivalent to 96.7 million pounds exceeded projections made by sector earlier this year and recorded a 28% increase over the previous year. However, according to the Center for Exports (CETREX), it sold $19 million worth less than in 2013.
In the past year, the Colombian fish imports increased 42%, due to difficulties of local industry in supplying domestic demand.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office of (PROCOMER):
The Colombian fishing industry is going through tough times due to various reasons such as resource depletion, pollution, oil and mining spills , increased cost of materials especially related to fuel prices, which has led to a considerable decrease in fish production.
Fish which undergoes long-term processing such as canned fish, seafood and prepared fish dishes represents 52% of the retail market for processed fish, followed by frozen and refrigerated fish.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food in Canada (AAFC), the seafood market in Canada increased from $2.8 billion (684.200 tons) in 2009 to $3.8 billion (709.100 tons) in 2013 and it is expected that demand will continue to increase as Canadians include fish and seafood as a regular part of their healthy diet. It is also expected that prices will increase by over 40% in 2016 compared to 2009.
In 2013 total production increased by 8% and foreign sales of fish, shrimp , lobsters and seafood, by 28%.
Fish production last year grew by 8%, with farmed shrimp products having the largest increase. Foreign sales of fish, shrimp, shellfish and lobsters reported a 28% increase compared to 2012, going from $192 million to $246 million at the end of 2013, according to statistics from the Center for Exports.
Each of the Central American countries are entitled to export a minimum of 160 tons, with flexibility of origin.
Each of the countries has been assured 4% of the four thouand metric tons which correspond to exports to the European Union.
According to Salvador's Deputy Minister of economy, Mario Hernandez, the agreement establishes that among the six countries of Central America, 24% of the quota will be distributed equally, ie 4% or 160 metric tons.
Projections on fish consumption in Peru predict an increase from the 300,000 tonnes in 2012 to 500,000 tons in 2013.
A statement from the Costa Rica Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
In 2013, fish consumption in Peru could increase to more than 500 thousand tons
The Ministry of Production of Peru noted that in 2012 more than 300 thousand tons of fish were consumed directly, and that figure is expected to be widely exceeded in 2013, when it is projected that fish consumption will increase to over 500,000 tons, said Gladys Triveño, head of sector.