The amount of raw fish exported from the Maldives in January this year has increased significantly compared to December last year.
According to the import-export statistics for January released by Customs yesterday, the Maldives exported goods worth MVR 144 million in January, with fish being the most exported commodity. A total of MVR 127 million worth of fish was exported that month. In December, MVR 97 million worth of fish was exported.
Looking at the fish exports in January, the highest quantity of fish exported was in the form of frozen or chilled raw fish. According to Customs statistics, MVR 92 million worth of raw fish, including frozen and chilled skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna, was exported that month. In December last year, MVR 49 million worth of raw fish was exported. Therefore, comparing the two months, this is an increase of MVR 43 million.
The most exported item in January was frozen skipjack tuna. While MVR 73 million worth of frozen skipjack tuna was exported in January, MVR 20 million worth of frozen skipjack tuna was exported in December. Comparing the two months, this is an increase of MVR 53 million.
Compared to December, the amount of yellowfin tuna exported in January was lower. In December, MVR 29 million worth of yellowfin tuna, including frozen yellowfin tuna and chilled fresh yellowfin tuna (cut and packed), was exported. In January, MVR 19 million worth of yellowfin tuna, including frozen yellowfin tuna and chilled fresh fish (cut and packed), was exported. This is a decrease of MVR 10 million.
Although the amount of raw fish exported increased in January, the amount of canned fish exported that month decreased significantly. While MVR 48 million worth of canned fish was exported in December, MVR 29 million worth of canned fish was exported in January. This is a decrease of MVR 19 million.
In January, the Maldives exported the highest quantity of fish to Thailand, the UK, and Vietnam. Thailand, which was previously in second place, has now moved to the top of the list. Compared to December, the amount of fish exported from the Maldives to Thailand tripled in January.
Looking at total exports in January, Thailand accounted for 47%. That is MVR 68 million worth of goods. In the previous month, Thailand's share was 19% with MVR 22 million worth of goods.
Statistics show that MVR 5.2 billion worth of goods were imported in January, while MVR 144 million worth of goods were exported. The state received a total revenue of MVR 287 million from these transactions.
