Fish Products.

The fish product sector is an important one for LOCs. Export turnover totals more than US$ 1.5 billion (of which US$ 0.9 billion comes from molluscs and crustaceans). Several LDCs are active in this sector: around 18 LDCs export frozen shrimps and prawns.

Since 1995, LDCs have supplied 3.5% of the world's imports for fish, crustaceans and molluscs.

Four countries (Bangladesh, Madagascar, Mozambique and Myanmar) supplied over 90% of total LDC exports of crustaceans, while the bulk of LDC exports of molluscs was supplied by Mauritania (60%) and Senegal (18%).

LDCs are also significant exporters of frozen sardines, tuna and octopus.

Not so big in processed fish

But LOCs currently account for only around 0.6% of total world exports in processed fish, whereas for fresh or chilled fish products their market share is much higher (4.2% for crustaceans and 2% for fish).

The leading LDC exporter of processed fish is Senegal.

Canning

Apart from the preparation of fillets, fish processing in LDCs consists mainly of canning, of tuna in particular. In 1999, however, fish-processing factories faced a financial crisis, caused by investments made to upgrade installations to comply with international technical standards and make their factories eligible for export permits to the EU.

Convenience

The major trend affecting the form in which fish is consumed is convenience. Demand will continue to shift from whole fish to time-saving fillets and pre-packed products. Products prepared for the fast-food sector, sold mainly through restaurants and fast-food outlets, are also increasing. Concerning the types of fish consumed, the trend points increasingly towards farmed species, whitefish, crustaceans and molluscs in developed countries and to low-value species, such as small pelagics, in developing countries.

Constraints and opportunities

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