The value of US surimi exports fell by 5 percent to$167.8 million (€126 million) in the first half ofthe year over the same period last year, despite a 4.9 percent increase in export volumes to 73,486 metric tons.
The biggest drop-off in both volume and value came from exports to Japan, which fell by 18.5 percent to 24,996 metric tons, from 30,685 metric tons the same period last year. The value of those exports fell by 24.9 percent to $52.4 million (€39.4 million).
Exports to South Korea, meanwhile, climbed in both volume and value, though again, price per kilo fell.
Exports reached 24,818 metric tons, up 28.9 percentfrom the 19,248 metric tons exported to the country last year.
The value of those exports rose 11.7 percent, to $67 million (€50.3 million).
Some markets showed positive movement.
Sales volumes to Lithuania, though modest overall, nearly doubled over the first half, to 4,441 metrictons, worth $8.9 million (€6.7 million). Volumes to France alsorose, by nearly 25 percent to 4,049 metric tons, worth $9.8 million (€7.4 million)