During the first month of the year, Nicaraguan seafood exports totaled $16.7 million, 19% less than what was reported in the same month in 2019, a situation explained by the decline in demand from Asia and the U.S., important destinations for this sector.
According to data from the Center for Export Processing (Cetrex), between January 2019 and the same month of 2020 exports of seafood products recorded a fall of $ 4 million, from $ 16.7 million to $ 20.7 million.
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.
On August 14, the company Rianxeira began to operate its new plant for processing fish waste into flour and oil, located in Escuintla.
The industrial complex located at kilometer 97, highway to Puerto Quetzal, Escuintla, will process all types of waste, such as fish heads, skeletons, bones, bone parts and viscera.
In the first nine months of last year, Central American countries exported frozen shrimp and prawns for $321 million, 17% more than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In Guatemala, Rianxeira company expects to have in operation in August, its new plant for transforming fish waste into flour.
The company, which is currently exporting tuna loins and concentrates, reported that the investment in the new production line of the plant in Escuintla, amounts to $2 million and that the raw material to be used will be fish heads, skeletons, bones, bone parts and viscera.
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 half of the year, Central American countries exported frozen shrimp and prawns for $207 million, 53% more than during the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the frozen shrimp and prawns market in Central America complied by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Varela administration signed 19 agreements with the Asiatic giant, including the meat, sea and fruit exports from Panama, and technological cooperation mechanisms.
In addition to the Free Trade Agreement between the two nations, the fourth round of negotiations took place weeks ago, and within the framework of the visit of Chinese President Xin Jinping to Panama, bilateral agreements on tourism, trade and agriculture were signed.
The investment of Grupo Calvo in El Salvador will be used to acquire a ship, to build a new production floor and a refrigerated area.
Representatives from the company reported that the investment is part of the start of a process of expanding their operations, which will be focused mainly on increasing the supply of tuna.
In the first quarter of the year, companies in the country exported $32 million worth of frozen shrimp and langoustine, registering a 64% increase with respect to exports in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on theFrozen Shrimp and Langoustine Market in Nicaragua, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In the first quarter of the year, Central American countries exported $90 million worth of frozen shrimp and langoustine, which is 76% more than in the same period in 2017, mainly due to sales to the US and Taiwan.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Frozen Shrimp and Langoustine in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
From July 30 to August 1, a business meeting will take place between business leaders in the region and Chilean companies from the forestry, agriculture, manufacturing and seafood sectors.
From a press release by ProChile:
The event will be held in Guatemala City, between July 30 and August 1, and will bring together about 120 buyers from all over the region.In total, there will be 60 places for Chilean entrepreneurs in the forestry and agricultural sector, industry-manufactures and seafood.
After the country registered sales for $282 million in 2017, the sector's union expects this year to surpass what was reported in the previous period by 2%.
Explained by the good performance in exports of cultivated shrimp, crab and live lobster, during the first three months of the year, the Nicaraguan Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Inpesca) expects the sector to register an increase compared to 2017.
In the first nine months of 2017, Honduras exported $185 million worth in shrimp and frozen shrimp, 30% more than in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Shrimp and Frozen Shrimp Market in Honduras, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Between January and March, sales abroad totaled $16 million, which is equivalent to an 86% increase with respect to exports registered in the same period in 2017.
The increase registered during the first months of the year is explained by an increase in the volume sold coupled with an increase in the average price, which rose from $4.1 per kilogram recorded in the first quarter of 2017, to $6 per kg reported in the same 2018 period.