Customs statistics reveal a substantial increase in fish exports in February compared to January of this year.
According to the import-export statistics for February released by Customs yesterday, goods worth MVR 223 million were exported during the month, with fish and fish products making up the largest share of exports.
In February, the highest volume of fish exported was in the form of frozen or chilled raw fish. Customs statistics show that MVR 151 million worth of raw fish, including frozen and chilled skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna, was exported that month. In January, MVR 92 million worth of raw fish was exported. Therefore, comparing the two months, this is an increase of MVR 59 million.
The most exported item in February was frozen skipjack tuna. While MVR 114 million worth of frozen skipjack tuna was exported in February, MVR 73 million worth was exported in January. Comparing the two months, this is an increase of MVR 41 million.
The volume of yellowfin tuna exported in February also increased compared to January. In January, MVR 19 million worth of yellowfin tuna, including frozen yellowfin tuna and chilled fresh yellowfin tuna (cut and packed), was exported, whereas MVR 37 million worth was exported in February. This is an increase of MVR 18 million.
After a decline in canned fish exports, the amount exported rose in February. While MVR 29 million worth of canned fish was exported in January, MVR 36 million worth was exported in February. This is an increase of MVR 7 million.
Looking at the countries to which fish was exported in February, Thailand tops the list. The second highest volume of fish was exported to the United Kingdom. India is in third place, followed by Vietnam in fourth. Bangladesh is in fifth place.
