Up to August 31, 2014 the total amount exported was $1.859 million, 8.04% more than the $1.721 million generated in the same month in 2013.
Regarding the volume of exports, up to August 2014, the Center for Exports (CETREX) reported 1.36 million metric tons, 12.9% more than the 1.20 million metric tons sold in the same month in 2013.
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.
Previously unthinkable export deals are now possible thanks to the soaring consumption levels of the Chinese.
An article by Amafredo Castellanos in Revistamyt.com reviews the success of Guatemala's Acuamaya, one of the largest shrimp companies in the region, which has already begun to export shrimp to China.
"... Selling seafood to China, or coffee, may sound like a joke.
Consumption of sea products has grown by 14.6% over the past five years, with new food trends in America and cultural aspects motivating the increase.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
According to a study by Mintel, the consumption of fish and seafood in the U.S. has grown by 14.6% in the past five years. This sector continued to grow even in the most critical period of the last economic crisis suffered by the U.S (2008-2009), a fact that was supported by American's desire to consume healthy products.
In Taiwan Nicaraguan businessmen closed deals on meat, coffee, seafood and other products, worth a total of $14.2 million.
According to the ambassador of Taiwan in Nicaragua, Y.W. Hsing, during the fair, which was held in June, Nicaraguan food products received more than 120 visits."Their products had a very satisfactory reception with our consumers," he said.
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.
Most of the loads of red meat cuts are prepared according to the preferences of the country or customer.
Generalities applicable to all frozen food:
Freezing is a very widespread way to preserve food products and it is common to move them using refrigerated transports. The load is placed in a state of suspended animation, allowing for it to be used weeks or even months after production.
The UN established the maximum level of melamine in liquid infant formula, and new rules on food safety for seafood, melons and nuts.
A statement from the Trade Office of Costa Rica reads:
The food standards body of the UN has set new standards in order to protect consumer health, among which is the inclusion of a maximum level for melamine in liquid infant formula, food safety for seafood, melons and dry fruits.
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.