SEAFOOD TRADE

Factors contributing to increase in seafood trade

Regional and international in seafood trade has been increasing considerably during the past few years and is also expected to further increase in the future. There are in fact, several factors that contribute to the increase in seafood trade as summarised in the Figure below:

Factors contributing to increase in seafood trade

1. Transportation & Logistics:

With the advent of technology, there has been a reduction in the transportation cots by surface and hence air trade among regional and international countries has been further promoted and increased. This has allowed to have more reliable and safe transportation of new product forms like fresh seafood, without affecting its quality for sale. Moreover, a decrease in the transportation costs is also enabling new producers to have access to global markets and export their products.

Transportation of goods by ship

Air transportation of goods

  

On the other hand, improved logistics have allowed economies of scale and scope on all levels of the supply chain in aquaculture or seafood production.

2. Storage & Preservation:

Freezing technology and improved infrastructure in many areas now allow seafood products to be frozen and kept safe to consume. This has hence allowed for a wider range of fish products to be traded. Another fact and improved facilities allow products to be processed in location with more competitive advantages rather than at the location where the fish or other seafood products were produced or caught.

Preservation of seafood in ice

3. Aquaculture:

Aquaculture, the production of food in controlled or selected environments has increased significantly over the years. Since the maintenance and harvesting processes are in a better control, producers are allowed to get better target needs of consumers and innovate in the supply chain.

Cage culture (Aquaculture) of fish

4. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ):

We often hear that Mauritius being a small island is surrounded by a vast EEZ which gives string incentives to increase trade. Mauritius is in a good position to sustainable exploit this resource and hence increase the regional and international trade of seafood products. 

Countries with considerate distance from the ocean rely heavily on imports to meet the demand of their population for seafood products. This is another market or opportunity that Mauritius could seize/ target.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Mauritius