Mexican fishing products are gaining more acceptance in the main consumer markets in the world, which is reflected in an increase in demand, informed the head of the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca), Mario Aguilar Sanchez.
According to the commissioner, in 2012 exports of fisheries and aquaculture resources were recorded for USD 1,117.3 million. The main exported products were shrimp, tuna, sardine, lobster and octopus.
The shipments of shrimp abroad last year exceeded USD 268.2 million while imports totalled USD 110.5 million.
Meanwhile, tuna exports generated USD 155.6 million in revenue compared with imports for USD 137.7 million.
Moreover, lobsters were sold abroad for USD 80 million, and were imported for USD 2.9 million. Octopus specimens were also exported for USD 45.9 million whereas they were imported for USD 4.8 million.
With regards to grease and oil, products were sold overseas for USD 55 million and purchases were recorded for USD 22 million. The shipments of fishmeal and seafood totalled USD 147.4 million, and they were imported for USD 27.1 million.
The main destination for Mexican seafood exports in 2012 was the United States, which purchased 50 per cent of the total.
It was followed by Hong Kong with 9 per cent, Spain with 8 per cent, Japan with 6 per cent, and China, with 5 per cent.
As for the production of the domestic fishing industry, it was more than 1.6 million tonnes last year. The capture from fisheries contributed 85 per cent of the production and the rest came from aquaculture.
Aguilar Sanchez stressed that Mexico has a great hydrological potential for developing fisheries and aquaculture, with 11,500 kilometres of coastline, 6,500 square kilometres of inland waters, 12,500 square kilometres of coastal and marine systems, and a very important exclusive economic zone.