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.
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"]
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 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 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"]
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%.
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.
85% of the seafood consumed by Americans is imported, with shrimp, freshwater fish fillets and crab having the largest volume of all such goods imported from abroad.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office:
Some time ago, the USA depended only on shellfish fished on its coasts, the state of New York was famous for its oysters and Louisiana and Mississippi for its prawns, but things have changed.
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.
There is ample opportunity for countries that are willing to invest in better management of fisheries and environmentally sustainable aquaculture.
According to a report entitled "Fisheries Sector 2030: Prospects for fisheries and aquaculture" prepared by the World Bank (WB), almost two thirds of the seafood consumed globally will be produced by fish farming methods in 2030.
An increase of 12% in 2012, signals a growing trend by U.S. consumers for smoked flavoured foods.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
According to the research company Nielsen Perishables Group, consumption of smoked seafood products in the U.S. recorded an increase of 12% in 2012, which reflects a growing trend among American consumers for choosing types of savoury food and cocktails with a smoky flavor, which is reflected by the increase in sales of these products in the supermarkets and wholesalers.
The EU has launched the European Market for Fisheries and Aquaculture, an interactive website which will collect updated information on the volume, value and price of seafood.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Brussels Seafood Fair, one of the most important trade events for the sector in Europe, was the location chosen by the European Commission (EC) to present its new Web tool, the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EUMOFA), a new interactive website and available to collect updated information on the volume, value and price of seafood along the entire value chain, from landing to the point of sale.
Research on consumer trends points to the need to provide more added value to products from the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
A statement from the Costa Rica Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
Experts point to the need to provide more added value to fishery and aquaculture products
Industry experts noted during a fishing and aquaculture conference entitled "How will we eat fish in the future? Food technologies and development of aquatic products " which took place in the Basque Culinary Center, in Spain, the need to provide greater value to their products through diversification of supply, new presentations and services tailored to consumer demands.
Central America exports 550,000 tonnes of seafood a year, which represents about $1,900 million.
The main export markets are Central America, Europe and recently Asia.
Mario González Recinos, director of the Central Bureau of Fisheries (OSPESCA) noted that at the last meeting of agriculture, ministers agreed "to prohibit simultaneously from Belize to Panama, shark finning at sea, meaning that these captured marine mammals must be moved to land, and from there the process of commercialization can begin.