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Canned tuna producer plant. (Photo: Tecopesca)
Tuna exporters consolidate sales, backed by agreement with EU
(ECUADOR, 5/12/2017)
Ecuador's tuna sector exports grew 2 per cent in the first three months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, helped by the trade agreement signed with the European Union.
The director of the Ecuadorian Chamber of Industrialists and Tuna Processors (CEIPA), Mónica Maldonado, explained that in the first quarter the members of her union confirmed the orders that depended on that agreement, and stressed that during the first months of the year a lot of tuna is consumed due to Lent, reported El Telégrafo.
The sector's concern was that if it did not negotiate the agreement with the EU, it should pay a tariff of 24 per cent.
"We have direct competitiveness from Asia and although it has a tariff of 12 per cent, it already covers the market. Not signing meant a loss of more than 60 per cent of loin and preserve exports," explained Maldonado.
Tuna is one of the Ecuadorian products that, since January 1 this year, has entered the EU market without paying tariffs. In addition, it is one of Ecuador's top five export products.
Foreign Trade Minister Juan Carlos Cassinelli detailed that during 2016 tuna accounted for 4 per cent of non-oil exports, generating USD 490 million, and its main destination was the EU.
In the accountability for his management for the period 2016-2017, which Cassinelli held in Guayaquil, he said that one of the main milestones of his work in the Commerce portfolio was the settlement and ratification of the Multiparty Trade Agreement with the EU. He explained that the settlement of this agreement was a long process, but that it is giving the expected results. He also emphasized that one of the aspects surpassed for the settlement were the norms of origin of the product.
In this regard, he recalled that on August 17, 2016, Implementing Regulation 2016/1380 was issued with respect to the rules of origin applicable to regional cumulation for tuna from Ecuador. This regulation lifted the restrictions that prevented Ecuadorian tuna exporters from using raw materials from Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. These countries also have trade agreements with the EU.
In the absence of the possibility of accumulation with the aforementioned nations, Ecuadorian exports of tuna preparations and preserves towards the EU would be reduced by 30 per cent.
Related articles:
- Agreement with the EU to benefit Ecuadorian tuna sector
- EU abolishes tariffs for foreign tuna processed in Ecuador
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