Export of shrimps, prawns surges by 7.75 percent

The exports of shrimps and prawns from the country registered an increase of 7.75 per cent during the period from July-April 2010-11 as compared to the same period of last year. An official in the Ministry of Commerce told APP on Saturday that about 5638.94 tons of shrimps and prawn worth Rs 1796.42 million exported from the country during the period under review.
The Pakistani shrimps and prawn export was recorded at 4909.17 tons when it compared with the same period of last year, he added. United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the top importer of Pakistani shrimps and prawn by importing 2119.03 ton worth Rs 662.17 million during the period from July-April 2010-11, he added. The official said that during the period of July-April 2009-10, the exports of shrimps and prawn from the country to UAE was recorded at 1692.14 tons costing Rs 545.15 million.
He further informed that Egypt emerged as the second largest importer of Pakistani shrimps and prawns during the period under review by importing 1348.51 ton costing Rs 451.81 million which was recorded at 1595.75 worth Rs 553.43 during the period of July-April 2009-10. Saudi Arabia (KSA) markets remained the third largest destination of these two products during period under view where as it imported 546.94 tons worth Rs 175.77 million as compared to the import of 401.56 cost Rs 165.79 million during period from July-April 2009-10.
The exports of shrimps and prawns to UAE and KSA were increased by 17.67 and 5.68 per cent respectively, while the export to Egypt decreased by 22.49 during period under view. Bahrain, Indonesia, India, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Thailand, Vietnam, Mauritius and China were major importers of Pakistani shrimps and prawns during the period under view.
It may be recalled that Pakistani shrimps and prawns are very popular and highly demanded in Gulf States and Middle Eastern countries. It is need of the time for enhancing the fisheries export by adopting the modern techniques of storage and supplies and quality standards for creating more market space in European countries for the benefit of the country.