Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 21
By Rashid Shirinov – Trend:
Some 26,400 tons of fresh chilled and frozen fish was produced in Kazakhstan last year, which is an increase of 0.2 percent year-on-year, Trend reports via EnergyProm.kz.
At the same time, production of processed and canned fish, caviar and its substitutes totaled 11,200 tons, which is a decrease of 4.7 percent.
The bulk of fish, crustaceans and shellfish production is concentrated in the Atyrau, East Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, West Kazakhstan and Turkistan regions.
It should be noted that development of the fishing industry is provided for under the state program for the development of the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan for 2017-2021. It is planned to increase not only the catch, but also the cultivation of fish.
For example, the volume of fish cultivation was about 700 tons in 2015; however, cultivation of valuable fish species is planned at the level of 5,000 tons by 2021.
Last year, the fishing industry of Kazakhstan received subsidies for the first time in 10 years. This year, a number of fish farms received a 30-percent compensation of the money spent on feed.
It should be noted that according to data for January–November 2018, imports accounted for 50.9 percent of the demand for fish products in Kazakhstan. At the same time, exports increased by 17.8 percent year-on-year, while domestic consumption decreased by 6.5 percent.
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