Entering our waters of the horse mackerel fish, species that it is not very common in the Ecuadorian sea, it made that 2011 is one of the best years for our country fish meal industry. Around of 30,000 tonnes of this small fish were captured for processing the product, which is mostly exported to Japan and China.
According to Fausto Tomalá, general manager of Industrial fisheries Junín (Junsa), the main manufacturing and exporting company of fishmeal in the country, horse mackerel underpinned last year to the sector, which took in this fish to a surprise species, “but at the end of year it entered the anchovy, due to cooler waters which were kept in the Ecuador in the month of December”.
With regard to prices of the product, he asserted that at the time they have stabilized. “We started last year with a high price, but we ended up with an average price, I would say regular,” explained Tomalá, who emphasized that fish oil was also with a sustainable price.
Manufacturers expect that this year are kept similar Ecuadorian sea conditions, to ensure that catches are equal to the 2011. He stressed the growing importance that has the industry of fishmeal globally.
Fishmeal and fish oil are elaborated mainly with small, oleaginous and bony fish, and largely inedible, the anchovy, horse mackerel, the menhaden, the capelin and the lanzón. These fish store oil in his flesh.
Despite the global crisis, the production of fishmeal has managed to sustain and maintain because of its great importance in the food chain, since its use is closely linked with the production of other species of direct consumption, such as shrimp, tilapia, pigs, cattle, etc.
Globally highlights the importance of the presence of China in sustaining the market of fishmeal, since that is the strongest global economy and whose consumption of flour is about 60% of total production.
Agree César Rohón, whose father was a pioneer in this activity, the consolidation of the industry is that currently there are no nor the size of the fleet and factories in the 60 to 80 years. “Today only there a dozen industries and almost half a hundred operational boats.” “This natural cleansing that has taken place in the industry over the years, is what has allowed those who still are in the business to consolidate us,” he said.
He emphasized that this industry it is very important for the country, both the generation of foreign exchange and the large amount of employment it generates in populations where the processing plants are located. In addition to the enormous importance in the supply of protein for the animal feed industry, which is vital for companies shrimp, poultry, livestock, etc.
Fishmeal and fish oil demand is increasing, mainly by the economic growth of China, country that exporter became one of the main importers of these products.
