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.
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"]
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"]
Between January and September of 2017, Central American countries exported $275 million worth of frozen shrimp and langoustine, 22% more than in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Shrimp and Frozen Langoustine in CentralAmerica compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
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,"...
In the first seven months of the year exports of farmed shrimp, sea shrimp, lobster and fresh fish generated $56 million, 18% more than in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the Central Bank show that the product which led foreign sales was shrimp, with $23.5 million, followed by lobster, with $16.8 million, fresh fish with $12.6 million, and sea shrimp, with $3.3 million.
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%.
Between January and August lobster production grew by 30% compared to the same period in 2014, while production and export of farmed shrimp fell by 32% and 40%, respectively.
In the case of lobster exports in the period concerned there was an increase of 26%, going from $37.3 to $47.1 million, according to data from the Central Bank and the Center for Exports (CETREX).
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.
After four months of suspension of fishing for spiny lobster in the countries of the region and in the Dominican Republic, fishing can resume from 1 July.
According to Rene Gutierrez, chief of the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) of Honduras, starting from now "fishermen from across the region can go out to fish" in the Caribbean.
From March 1 to June 30 the ban extends on catching lobsters in the Central American Caribbean.
Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "the ban will be extended until 30 June under enforcement of Honduran legislation and the Regional Regulations for Fisheries Ordinance of the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), said the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) in Honduras ".
A closed season for fishing for shellfish will be in effect from March to June, from Belize to Panama.
The ban aims to protect the species from overfishing in the period of increased reproduction and is effective from the coasts of Belize all the way to Panama.
"In order to protect the species, from Belize to Panama a temporary suspension of fishing for spiny lobster will apply from March 1st to June 30th", said Mario Gonzalez, the AFP director of the Organization of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of Central America (OSPESCA),.
Starting March 1st a ban on lobster fishing will come into effect for four months.
The ban aims to protect the species from overfishing during the period of increased reproduction and will be effective from the coast of Belize to Panama.
The industry generates about $ 400 million and a kilogram of lobster is trading in the region at about $ 14.