comes the Major week and with it the consumption of traditional sweets, meringues, shellfish and fish, this last protein, which although it has had a price increase due to inflation, is expected to have a rebound in its sales this season.
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According to Colombian Fishing Statistical Service (Sepec), The production of artisanal, industrial and aquaculture fishing reported 32,448 tons last year for March, while for April the figure was 25,710 tons, showing a growth of 13% compared to March 2020 and 5% for April of the year immediately preceding.
Nicholas del Castillo, director of the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority (Aunap), explained that historically the average production for the month of March is 30,000 tons and close to 26,000 tons for April. However, despite the fact that there has been an increase in prices in recent weeks, they expect that sales during this week will not be affected.
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“Although this increase may influence the consumer to reduce the intake of the product from fishing and aquaculture, we know the importance of the Holy Week and the religious tradition that Colombians profess, which will make the consumer lean towards this proteinCastle said.
Now, according to the Aunap, the species that are most commercialized during Holy Week are: red and black tilapia; cachama, shrimp and rainbow trout, which corresponds to cultivation. River fish like catfish, maiden, bocachico, nicuro, sea bream, blanquillo, yamú. Shrimp, sea bass, snapper, sierra and tuna, that come from the sea. While in the imported line there is the base and the salmon.
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The platform Tiendeo, For its part, it analyzed what the consumption trends will be for this season. According to the results, in the last fifteen days, the demand for fish rose 150% and shellfish 214%.
Now, although Tiendeo warned in his study that there is an evident consumer interest in catfish, tilapia, trout or octopus this season, Colombians have also sought variety.
“Other products with a significant increase in demand stand out, such as tuna 300%, sardines 80%, salmon 64% and shrimp 20%, as the main alternatives for Colombians to consume during Holy Week”, added the platform.
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Among the accompaniments that consumers choose to eat with fish, stands out in the first place the lettuce with an increase in purchase intention of 100%, the rice (97%), cassava (67%), tomato (13%), and finally the dad (7%).
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JOHANA LORDUY
Journalist Portfolio
