Fish Exports Drop Significantly Last Year

Fish exports from the Maldives dropped significantly last year.

According to statistics published by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the Maldives exported 40,050.2 metric tonnes of fish last year. In 2023, 78,766.4 metric tonnes of fish were exported. Comparing the two years, last year's exports declined by 49.2%.

Looking at the details of last year's fish exports, the highest quantity exported was skipjack tuna. Last year, 22,391.7 metric tonnes of skipjack tuna were exported, while 9,331.3 metric tonnes of yellowfin tuna were exported. Additionally, 5,811.8 metric tonnes of fish were exported in canned or pouched form.

The decline in fish exports is attributed to poor fishing and various challenges faced by the fishing industry, which resulted in fewer vessels going out to sea and a decrease in the volume of fish weighed. However, with fishing improving at the beginning of this year and vessels receiving regular payments for their catch, many vessels have resumed fishing, and the volume of fish weighed has increased significantly. Therefore, a positive change in exports is expected this year.