Argentina exported 113,419 tonnes of fish and shellfish between January and April 2013, a figure that shows a rise of 3.4 per cent over the same period in 2012, when 109,630 tonnes were shipped abroad.
According to statistics from the National Health and Food Quality Service (Senasa) in the first quarter of this year 71,374 tonnes of fish were exported, that is to say, 0.6 per cent more than in the same period in 2012 (70,929 tonnes).
The information provided by the entity shows that in the first four months of 2013 a total of 42,045 tonnes of seafood was also exported, 8.6 per cent more than in the same time last year, when 38,701 tonnes were sold overseas.
The highest export records were those of hake (Merluccius Hubbsi), with 33,425 tonnes, representing 0.1 per cent less compared to 33,431 tonnes that were exported in the first quarter of 2012.
It was followed by squid (Illex argentinus), with 28,013 tonnes, 11.3 per cent more than during the first four months of last year (25,152 tonnes), and shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri), with 10,877 tonnes, 11 per cent more than during the same period last year (9,794 tonnes).
Among the resources that increased their shipments abroad is the hoki (Macruronus magellanicus), whose sales grew by 23.6 per cent, changing from 3,952 tonnes between January and April, 2012 to 4,885 tonnes in the same period, 2013.
More golden kingklip (Genypterus blacodes) was also exported, changing from 846 tonnes to 913 tonnes (7.9 per cent).
The species that recorded declines when comparing the first quarter of 2013 with that period last year were: