The Monetary Authority of Maldives (MMA) has revealed that fish exports have recorded a 13% increase compared to last year.
The Monthly Statistics report published by MMA shows the Maldives exported 64,375 metric tonnes of fish as of September this year, which is a 13.3% increase compared to the 55,831 metric tonnes exported in the same period last year.
The report shows that fish exports increased due to the increase in exports of skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna. As such, 38,811 tonnes of skipjack tuna was exported as of September this year, which is a 6.2% increase compared to the 36,388 metric tonnes exported in the same period last year. A total of 17,026 metric tonnes of yellowfin tuna was exported this year, which is a 28.6% increase compared to the 12,143 metric tonnes exported in the same period last year.
International demand for canned fish products has been increasing, resulting in a 21% rise in the export of canned fish products from the Maldives this year. Fish purchases have also increased, with Maldivian fish processing companies purchasing skipjack tuna for USD0.97 and yellowfin tuna for USD4.60.