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.
Nicaragua's fishing and aquaculture production in 2019 will be close to 175 million pounds, 6% less than production in 2018.
In the Production, Consumption and Trade Plan for the 2019-2020 cycle, the government expects a 6.4% year-on-year decline, mainly because of the implementation of management and sustainability measures for sea cucumbers, such as the closure of two additional months for all species and the permanent closure for cucumber, Café y Carajo, explains the document.
The industry union expects to close 2017 with 5% growth in production, and plans to focus next year on improving processes in order to increase productivity.
One of the changes proposed by fishing and aquaculture companies is to improve production processes of products such as lobster, which require special logistics,"...
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.
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.
Entrepreneurs in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors are demanding that the government boost production of the species, whose consumption is projected to grow globally.
The government still has not spoken on the topic, but it is expected that industry representatives will meet with officials next week to refine the development plan for 2015, which includes raising tilapia.
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 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.
The new regulation aims to unify shrimp fishing practices in Central America, for the adequate use of Turtle Exclusion Devices.
From a press release of the Central American Integration System (SICA):
Today, at the headquarters of the Central American Integration System (SICA), Mrs. Xinia Chaves, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica, representing her country in the exercise of the President Pro Tempore of SICA, deposited with the Secretary-General System, Juan Daniel Aleman, the "Regional Regulation OSP-06-13 on "Proper Use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)", which aims to establish a regional policy framework for the appropriate use of the aforementioned TEDs.
During 2012, exports of fisheries products amounted to 40,000 tons, and the expansion of the territorial sea has allowed for greater growth projections which must be underpinned by more technology.
Domestic consumption of seafood in Nicaragua is very small, just a pound a year per capita, therefore the exports represent 94% of production. The United States, Europe, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean are the main buyers of the product.
The largest activities are tuna, shrimp aquaculture and inshore fishery.
Ospesca is the fishing division of the Central American Intgration System. According to their data, over 100.000 households depend on fishing for their daily income. 25% of these are small fishermen.