Aquaculture for all

Mexican Fishery Products Set to Hit International Markets

Crustaceans Tuna Sustainability +6 more

MEXICO - National Commissioner of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Mario Aguilar Sanchez reports that the quality and high nutritional value of Mexican fish and shellfish produced in a sustainable manner is contributing to an increase in demand.

Mexican fishery products meets the international standards of quality and safety and as a result, many major foreign markets have begun to accept them and demand is on the rise, Mr Sanchez said.

According to Mr Sanchez, in 2012, export sales soared and amounted to US$117.3 million.

The head of the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) reported that the main products that are selling well abroad consist of shrimp, tuna, sardines, lobster and octopus, which are all highly nutritious.

He noted that in 2012, shrimp exports exceeded US$268.2 million against US$ 110.5 million in imports, while tuna export figures stood at US$155.6 million against US$137.7 million in imports.

Lobster exports amounted to US$80 million, while imports came to US$ 2.9 million, while octopus sales ended the year at US$ 45.9 million while imports came to US$ 4.8 million.

The Mexican fishing industry has an annual production of more than one million (600 thousand tons), out of which 85 per cent comes results fishing and aquaculture, which is valued at 22 million pesos.

According to 2011 figures from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Mexico currently ranks 17th in global seafood production, accounting for 0.96 per cent of trade.

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