As the local media the government of Argentina has decided to re-established benefits to fisheries exports to the tune of USD 20 million annually. It is announced that the benefits will range from 1 percent to 10 percent depending on the added value to the exported product. Gerardo Nieto, Argentina’s Fisheries Director, informed that the resolution was signed last Friday and covers 50 products including such traditional as hubbsi hake filets and squid but also trout and other species.
According to Nieto the benefit will definitely not mean a clear plus for the Argentine fishing industry because as with agriculture and livestock, they are subject to an export duty, similar to those which have triggered the farmers’ ongoing conflict. He also told that the decision was taken following the current difficulties faced by the fisheries sector with soaring costs, neutral profitability and collapse of international prices for such Argentine staple exports as squid and shrimp.
As per the statement of the Argentinean official several big fishing companies are under protection from creditors and “an estimated 50.000 jobs are on the line”. Nieto said that the fisheries department target, and the renewed benefits, is to promote exports with the most added value possible.
