Seafood exports rise in H1

TIRANA, July 24 – The growing domestic seafood industry has sharply reduced imports and improved exports, Agriculture Minister Genc Ruli said this week visiting a fish processing plant. Ruli argued the increase in domestic production with imports of seafood in the first six months of this year which at 2,000 tonnes were 1,200 tonnes less than the same period last year.
Albanian exports of processed seafood registered a 5.5 percent increase to 1.29 billion lek in the first half of this year, the minister said.
The majority of fish products are exported to Italy, Spain and neighbouring countries, added Ruli guaranteeing the ministry would support Albanian plants through new technology increasing the competitiveness of these products in European markets. Albania’s agricultural exports registered a sharp 32 percent increase in 2011 boosted by the performance of canned fish and medicinal plant, the country’s top exported products. Agricultural exports rose by 32 percent to 12 billion lek (Euro 85 million) representing only 6 percent of the total exports in 2011, according to data published by the Agriculture Ministry.
Canned fish continues remaining Albania’s top agricultural export even in 2011 with an estimated 2,741 tonnes, worth around 3 billion lek (Euro 21 mln). In 2011, canned fish exports registered a 239 tonne increase and a 10 percent increase in value. Previous data from a detailed 2010 report show Italy was the overwhelming destination for 92 percent of total canned fish exports. Only 5 enterprises, employing 912 people operate in the fish conservation industry.