Tuna exports down 57% in 2009

The gross output of the aquaculture industry, including fish farming, amounted to €76.4 million, a drop of 6.4% from €81.7 million in 2008. This was mainly due to a decline of 57% in the value of exported tuna.

During the year under review, the volume of fresh fish amounted to 5,188 tonnes, or 22.9% less compared to the preceding year. Complementing this drop in volume was a 37.7% decrease in the average price of fresh fish, to €8.69.

Intermediate consumption, or the expenses incurred in the production of farmed fish, decreased by 11.8% last year. Accounting for this were lower overhead costs and a drop in the value of purchases related to live fish and fingerlings, of 50.8 and 17.4% respectively.

The gross value added of the aquaculture industry in 2009 advanced to €6.8 million from €2.8 million a year before. Taking fixed capital consumption and exchange rate differences into consideration, the aquaculture industry had a positive factor income of €3.7 million, an increase from a negative factor income of €12.1 million in 2008.

Compensation of employees amounted to €4.0 million, slightly lower than 2008, while entrepreneurial income amounted to €2.0 million against €17.9 million in the preceding year.