The trade balance of fisheries products has achieved a positive surplus of 58 million dinars (MD) in January 2021, against 19.2 MD in January 2020, up 202%, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.
Exports of the fisheries sector, reached about 2829.2 tons worth 71.5 million dinars (MD), at the end of January 2021, against 1829.1 tons worth 33.5 MD, during the same period last year.
They therefore posted an increase of 54.7% in quantity and a 113.4% rise in value.
This increase is explained by higher exports of fresh tuna of 1070 tons with a value of 39.7 MD.
Exports of blue crab also went up by 54.2% in quantity and 55.3% in terms of value compared to the same period 2020.
Similarly, exports of canned sardines have increased in January 2021, 88.9 tons in quantity and 1.2 MD in value compared to the previous year.
On the other hand, exports of canned fresh tuna fell by 72%, from 267.2 tons in January 2020, to 74.6 tons in January 2021, in terms of volume and 0.7 MD to 3.7 MD in value.
In addition, the imports of fishing amounted to about 3395.8 tons worth 13.5 MD, at the end of January 2021, against 3927.8 tons worth 14.3 MD, during the same period of 2020, down 13.5% in quantity and 5.6% in value.
This decline is explained by the cessation of imports of frozen fish intended for fattening bluefin tuna in January 2020.
On the other hand, imports of frozen tuna grew 18.3% in quantity in January 2021 and 25.9% in terms of value compared to the same period 2020.
17% decline in production of fisheries and aquaculture products
The production of fisheries and aquaculture products in Tunisia reached about 7045 tons in January 2021, against 8522 tons during the same period 2020, recording a drop of 17%,
Fishing activities has achieved a production of about 6111 tons in January 2021 against 7195 tons during the same period of 2019, down 15%. This decline has affected most fishing activities without exception. according to the same source.
Aquaculture production amounted to about 934 tons in January 2021, against 1327 tons in January 2020, down 393 tons.
