Status and trends on the use of small pelagic fish species in Peru 339
a processing capacity exceeding 9 093 tonnes/hour. These plants produce mainly
the traditional fishmeal (57 percent of the total), although with the recent investments
made in new machinery and equipment, there is a growing trend to produce prime
and super-prime meal (43 percent of the total) (Figure 10).
Over 80 percent of the production is exported. The main markets for Peruvian
fishmeal are Asian countries, mainly China, due to its important aquaculture industry.
Germany is the main European importer.
4 .2 Foodfish production
There is an important industry for frozen and canned fish products and an artisanal
industry for cured fish products, which although small, has been growing rapidly in
the past few years.
4.2.1 Fish freezing industry
The South Pacific hake is the main species used by the freezing industry, yet landings
have been declining. In order to ensure the sustainability of this resource, the fishery
has been regulated through closed seasons and capture quotas. The other main species
landed for this industry is the jumbo flying squid, with the most important landing
ports being located in the northern area of Peru, mainly in Paita.
Frozen fish production is concentrated mainly in Piura, where most of the plants
are located due to the proximity of the main resources of South Pacific hake and jumbo
flying squid. Traditionally, the main species destined for frozen production is hake;
however, with the recent decrease in landings of this species, jumbo flying squid, squid
and scallops now constitute the basis of this industry. Due to the variability in landings
of South Pacific hake, it has been necessary to implement measures to promote the use
of other species such as red prawn and spider crab, as well as highly migratory species
such as tuna and jumbo flying squid.
Production is directed mainly to the export markets, which results in greater numbers
of plants adopting hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) systems to
ensure satisfactory quality for export. The small pelagics used in the freezing industry
represent only 5 percent of the total landings for frozen seafood production in Peru.
There are 95 industrial plants along the Peruvian coast that are engaged in the
manufacture of frozen products, with a total processing capacity of 3 557 tonnes per
day. The production of frozen fish and invertebrates in 2005 reached 144 831 tonnes,
following an upward trend that began in 1999 with the increasing presence of jumbo
flying squid in the landings.
4.2.2 Fish canning industry
The industrial canning activity in Peru began during the Second World War and
grew during the 1950s such that by 1956 there were 69 plants with daily production
capacities ranging from 50 to 1 500 boxes and using mainly eastern Pacific bonito
(Sarda chiliensis lineolata) and Pacific menhaden (Ethmidium maculatum). Increasing
costs and the rise of the fishmeal industry marked a decline in the canning industry. The
appearance of new markets and new technological advances provided important new
growth, transforming Peru in 1981 into the main global producer of canned fish. New
crises have affected this industry, including the reduction of fishing levels caused by El
Niño, inflationary problems, market requirements, etc.
At present, the canning industry in Peru is in a state of change. With the drastic
reduction of landings of sardine (the main species used by this industry in recent years),
it has become important to look for other species like the anchoveta that have large
prospective markets and a socio-economic environment favouring investments. It is
necessary, therefore, to diversify the products as well as modernize the production lines
to make them efficient and profitable.