Fish exports up 21% to Rs. 31.8 b in 2013: Rajitha
Saturday, 26 April 2014 01:20
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The income from the export of fish in the year 2010 was Rs. 19,834 million while in 2011 the income was Rs. 21,876 million. It rose to Rs. 26,363 million in 2012 with a considerable increase even on that figure to Rs. 31,792 million in 2013, showing a record increase of 21%. This was stated by Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, at a special discussion held in the Ministry recently.
The Minister also stated that during the last few years the import of fisheries products had gradually declined. “In 2010, we imported 80,013 metric tons of fish products. In 2012 there was a decline in imports by 13%, the volume being 71,413 metric tons. Imports of dried fish amounted to 18,477 metric tons in 2010, and in 2012 there was a reduction 20% with the volume of 14,165 metric tons,” the Minister said.
In 2010, we imported 27,304 metric tons of dried sprats while in 2012 we imported a reduced quantity amounting to 25,181 metric tons, the volume being less by 9%. In 2010 we imported 2871 metric tons of Maldive fish while in 2012 we were able to reduce this quantity still further to 1,383 metric tons indicating a 50% reduction, Dr. Senarathne further said.
While we export a fair number of fisheries products including fish, prawns, crabs, ornamental fish and fish food we import dried fish, sprats and Maldive fish, with a quantity of tinned salmon for use in hotels, the Minister added.
Minister Rajitha Senarathne emphasised that a number of projects, related to fisheries products have been launched under the Divi Neguma program of the Economic Development Ministry. These self employment projects were encouraged with the provision of training and financial assistance.
“Under these projects, women have now taken up self-employment projects for the production of dried fish and Maldive fish. We are now manufacturing a considerable amount of dried fish and Maldive fish and it will be possible to improve these industries, enabling us to produce our requirements locally. We are also hoping to set up some factories for tinned salmon. While our exports have brought in Rs. 31,792 million in 2013, we have now planned to increase this amount to Rs. 50,000 million within the next few years,” the Minister said.
