(fis.com) Pakistani fish exports surpassed USD 300 million for the first time and fetched a higher average unit price (AUP) in fiscal year 2011-12 versus 2010-11.
Specifically, from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 there were a total of 124,489 tonnes of fish exported worth USD 315 million -- up by 6.53 per cent or USD 19.343 million -- compared with 133,926 tonnes worth USD 296 million in 2010-11. These achievements came despite a fall in the volume of exports and a continued ban on exports to the European Union (EU).
Faisal Iftikhar, chairperson of the Fisheries Exporters Association of Pakistan, connected the increase in the value of exports to a higher AUP of USD 2.53 per kg in 2011-2012 compared with USD 2.21 per kg in the previous period, Dawn.com reports.
Since the EU imposed its ban on Pakistani imports in April 2007 due to quality issues, the country has been losing out on USD 50 million each year in fish exports. At the same time, Pakistani exporters have been resourceful and found new markets -- with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East chief among them -- for their products.
Fish exports to China remained brisk this year as exporters fetched a better price than what European countries may have offered for almost all varieties sold. The country has also become a big fan of Pakistani shrimp, Iftikhar said.
“China’s import of cuttlefish and squid from Pakistan has swelled around 90 percent within a shot period,” he stated, Business Recorder reports.
“EU cannot offer the price China pays to Pakistani exporters for cuttlefish, squid and a variety of shrimp products,” he also noted. It is estimated that 342,655 tonnes of fish and other products originated from Sindh and Balochistan, 207,540 tonnes of which were from Sindh.
Iftikhar believes the landing of fish, which was 6-8 per cent lower compared to the previous year, brought on the shortage of raw materials but that an 8.8 per cent devaluation of the local currency against the USD helped drive exports up.
He also said that there were reports that an EU mission may allow two exporting companies in Pakistan to resume exports to European countries after its visit to the country in September. Official sources informed also that the EU delegation might allow imports of fish once the EU inspects sanitation facilities in Pakistan, if they meet EU standards, Daily Times reports.