In January 2013, Chile sent 4,389 tonnes of mussels (Mytilus chilensis) abroad, representing a rise of 25.2 per cent in relation to exports in the same month of 2012 (3,504 tonnes).
In value terms, mussel export shipments during the first month of this year generated revenue of USD 12.6 million, that is to say, 41 per cent more than in January 2012, when USD 8.9 million was obtained.
According to the data provided by InfoTrade to Aqua, the average value of mussels during January 2013 was USD 2.88 per kilogram, exceeding the one in the first month of last year: USD 2.52/kg.
The ranking of exporters was led by Pesquera Trans Antartic, with USD 1.7 million and 294 tonnes of mussels.
In the second place was Blue Shell, with 609 tonnes worth USD 1.58 million, and further back was Toralla, with 524 tonnes sent abroad for USD 1.57 million.
While in the fourth place was Camanchaca, with 524 tonness exported for USD 1.3 million and in the fifth place was St. Andrews Smoky Delicacies, with 341 tonnes worth USD 844,000.
During the first month of this year, the main export destinations for Chilean mussels were the European Union, with 2,783 tonnes worth USD 8.5 million; the United States, with 647 tonnes worth USD 1.4 million; and Latin America, with 341 tonnes for USD 964,000.