Cabo Virgenes Fishing Pier. Photo: YouTube

Shrimp Fishing Progresses at a Good Pace, but Storage Accumulation Raises Uncertainty

ARGENTINA
Monday, January 06, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The lack of global demand is causing an increase in storage, according to Diario El Chubut.

The president of the Chubut Yellow Fleet Chamber (Cafach), Gustavo González, shared encouraging statistics about shrimp fishing and highlighted that "we have reached almost 50,000 tons, allowing us to project more than 70,000 tons by January, exceeding Chubut's annual average."

González emphasized that despite economic and commercial challenges, the 2024/2025 season's catches are exceptional. "The fishing grounds are in excellent condition. In November, we reached 24,000 tons, and in December, nearly 20,000," he detailed.

However, the commercial outlook is more challenging. Europe is experiencing an "economic depression," reflected in very low reference prices and limited demand for smaller-sized shrimp, which begin to appear in Rawson by mid-January.

"Fortunately, we are still catching high-quality, good-sized seafood, but when the product size decreases, the problems will intensify," he warned.

Costs and Prices: The Exporter’s Dilemma

González reflected on the relationship between prices and costs, stating that "prices determine costs, not the other way around." He explained that the sector is dealing with a delayed exchange rate, dollar inflation, and high production costs.

"The challenge lies in adjusting costs to remain globally competitive. This requires a joint effort from all players in the sector," he asserted.

Fernando Álvarez Castellano, president of Conarpesa, confirmed this situation. Speaking with El Chubut, he noted: "The season is positive, although prices are somewhat lower than last year. There is shrimp in storage, and I understand that many plants lack sufficient purchase offers."

Investments and the Sector’s Future

Despite the adversities, González highlighted that fleets continue to invest in vessel renewal, technology, and navigation safety. However, he lamented the lack of progress on critical projects such as dredging and port improvements.
"This is the first year of this government's administration, and I believe we must give them time to stabilize the economy before undertaking major infrastructure investments. That said, these improvements are urgent," he emphasized.

Photo: Stockfile sincreoflift in ?chubut

A Historic Season for the Fishing Industry

Despite commercial and economic challenges, the shrimp season is reaching historic catch levels, cementing the fishing industry as a key pillar of the regional economy. A combination of efforts in technology, infrastructure, and commercial strategies will be crucial to overcoming challenges and capitalizing on the potential of this activity in the global market.

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print