Statistics of seafood production in Belarus in January-May 2008

In Belarus the total output of seafood products, canned fish inclusive, in January-May 2008 grew by 12.3% as compared to the same period of 2007 and reached 25,210 metric tons, according to Interfax.

The bulk of seafood products, namely 22,889 tonnes by 11.6% up on January-May 2007, was contributed by businesses without subordination to government departments. Entities subordinate to provinces' executive committees increased their seafood output by 7.3% to 1023 metric tons, while companies subordinate to President's Administrative Department boosted their output by 22.5% to 822 tonnes and companies of Belarus Co-op Union raised their seafood production by 43.9% to 459 tonnes.

In January-May 2008 member companies of Belneftekhim produced 15 metriс tons of seafood products, 50% up on January-May 2007, companies of the nation's Ministry of Energy produced 1 tonne of seafood, 50% up, and businesses working under Belgospischeprom also produced 1 tonne (while in the same period last year they did not produce seafood).

According to the nation's Ministry of Statistics, in January-May 2008 Belarus produced 29 tonnes of live fish, 45% up on January-May 2007, and 45 tonnes of frozen fish, 45-fold up. The output of smoked fish amounted to 1496 tonnes, 28% up, while the output of salted fish (except for herring) and salted herring rose to 834 tonnes (+58.3%) and 725 tonnes (+29%) correspondingly.

Production of canned fish, including canned shellfish, amounted to 8.169 million nominal canned fish units, 5.7% up on January-May 2007.

The output of dried and dry-cured fish in January-May 2008 as compared to the same period of 2007 rose 2.2-fold to 118 metric tons, while production of spice salted and marinated fish went down by 44.4% to 279 tonnes.

Along with the above, the nation's producers made 13,372 tonnes of ready-to-eat products (+11.6%), 3398 tonnes of fish roe (+7%) and 1913 tonnes of food products (+16.5%).

Seafood inventories, canned fish inclusive, as per 1 June 2008 amounted to 14565 tonnes and accounted for 29.1% of the average monthly production.