Price is the determining factor when buying shrimp in the U.S., and is even more important than the country of origin.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Office:
Price is the determining factor for the U.S. when buying shrimp
Price is the determining factor when buying shrimp in the U.S., more so than the country of origin, according to new research from the Department of Agriculture in this country.
The signing of EU Association brings up the outstanding issue of export quotas for the allocation of tuna and beef from Central American countries.
The agreement establishes a quota of 4 metric tons (TM2) for tuna and 9,500 tons for beef, with an annual increase of 475 tons. At the time Central America has yet to resolve internally how to allocate such quotas.
Guatemalan authorities have banned the fishing of all kinds of tuna in Pacific waters during the period 29 July - 28 September 2012 and between November 18 - January 18, 2013.
The prohibition by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), is to allow for reproduction of tuna species such as yellowfin tuna, bigeye and skipjack.
"There is also a special closure from 29 September to 29 October in the area known as ‘Corralito ‘, ranging from the 96th meridian west, to the 110 meridian west and from latitude parallel four degrees north to three degrees latitude south", published Prensalibre.com
The shrimp industry, which exported $52.8 billion in 2011, is seeking to improve infrastructure and implement improved farming technologies.
The production of shrimp and fish farming generates more revenue than deep-sea fishing, as reports by Electronic Service for Export Authorization (SEADEX) and the Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) clearly show .
A measure has been announced in Guatemala affecting the activity of catching the Caribbean spiny lobster from March 1st to June 30th , 2012.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), has imposed a temporary ban on fishing in the Caribbean for spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), a measure that aims to enable the reproduction of the lobster population of the species in question.
Native or indigenous communities who practice artisanal fishing in Central America, will make agreements that guarantee the sustainability of small-scale fisheries.
A press release from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock reads:
With the support of international organizations, indigenous or native communities who practice artisanal fishing in Central America, will make agreements that guarantee the sustainability of small-scale fisheries, uniting responsible fishing and social development.
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.
The Outlook for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Americas: A perspective on Latin America and the Caribbean 2011-2012.
ECLAC, FAO and IICA press release:
San Jose, Costa Rica, October 21 (ECLAC/FAO/IICA). Despite the current context of volatility and high food prices, in the long term, the agricultural sector in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) will be able to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by having available land - albeit concentrated in a few countries- a relative abundance of water, biodiversity and well-educated human resources.
The Outlook for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Americas: A perspective on Latin America and the Caribbean 2011-2012.
ECLAC, FAO and IICA press release:
San Jose, Costa Rica, October 21 (ECLAC/FAO/IICA). Despite the current context of volatility and high food prices, in the long term, the agricultural sector in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) will be able to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by having available land - albeit concentrated in a few countries- a relative abundance of water, biodiversity and well-educated human resources.
A group of investors from China plan to install a plant for the exclusive production of concentrated food for tilapia.
The high cost of feed for tilapia, one of the most consumed fish species in Guatemala, has prompted a group of businessmen from Taiwan to consider establishing a production of concentrate.
To do so, they will first conduct a feasibility study to determine if the area has the features needed to make the concentrate.
Guatemalan authorities have banned fishing for all types of tuna in Pacific waters between July 29 and September 28.
The prohibition by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), will allow for reproduction of species such as yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack and frigate tuna.
"According to Maga, the temporary ban is for all ships that use the network for tuna fishing in Guatemalan waters.", reported an article in Prensalibre.com
There is a growing need to improve aquatic animal health to increase production and to facilitate safe global trade in aquatic animals and derived products.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has proposed holding a global conference on 'aquatic health programs: benefits to global food security' in Panama, from 28 to 30 June 2011.
This global event will highlight the importance that the OIE and the international community attach to the contribution of aquatic animal health in the fight against world poverty. It will also increase awareness about the work of health services for aquatic animals and veterinary services, to ensure the safe production of aquaculture products which are both safe for human consumption and properly certified in compliance with the requirements of international trade.
$109 million worth of seafood goods where sold abroad in 2010, 13% more than 2009, when $96 million were exported.
In terms of volume, Guatemalan seafood companies shipped 50.9 million pounds in 2009 and 48 million pounds in 2010, reported the Guatemalan Exporters Association (Agexport).
"Even though revenue increased for most seafood goods, one of the most important, shrimp, continued trending down due to adverse climate change", noted Prensalibre.com.