Production Minister Raul Perez-Reyes on Monday said Peru's fishing sector expanded 33.5% —in terms of volume— last May due to higher catches of anchovy destined for the production of fish meal and oil.
Said figure was the highest seen in the last six years.
According to Perez-Reyes, this growth was underpinned by greater anchovy catches (1.6 million tons) in the country's north-central area as a result of the advance in the
first fishing season.
The increase in the unloading of species for direct human consumption —especially those aimed at the canning and freezing industries— such as giant squid (+22.6%), anchovy (+106%), mackerel (+80.7%), and prawns (+23.7%) also contributed to the expansion.
The official pointed out the landing volume increased 438,500 tons last May over the same month in 2017.
Economically speaking, the
fishing sector experienced an important growth of 26.7% in the analyzed month.
This result was mainly explained by the increase in landings of anchovy for indirect human consumption and species for direct consumption, mainly those aimed at the canning and freezing industry.
(END) MMG/RMB/MVB
Published: 7/2/2018