GENERAL REVIEW 



FOREIGN FISHERY TRADE 



U.S. foreign trade in fishery products was worth a record $1.2 billion — an increase of 

 $208.2 million compared with 1969. Imports for consumption were worth $1.0 billion — $195.1 

 more than in the previous year. Exports valued at $117.7 million increased $13 . 1 million compared 

 with 1969. 



Imports of edible fishery products were 1.9 billion pounds worth$812.5 million — a gain of 

 10 percent in volume and ISpercent in value compared with 1969. Important edible items received 

 in greater volume were fresh or frozen tuna (including loins and discs) , groundfish fillets and 

 steaks, flounder fillets, shrimp, oysters, scallops, canned sardines in oil, unclassified canned 

 fish (chiefly mackerel), and pickled or salted herring. Compared with 1969, imports of fresh or 

 frozen sea herring, northern and spiny lobster, and canned sardines not in oil declined. 



Shrimp, the major item imported with respect to value, accounted for 25 percent of the val- 

 ue of all imported edible items. Record imports of about 218.7 million pounds (including fresh or 

 frozen, canned, and cured) worth $200.0 million were received from 73 countries. Mexico, India, 

 Panama, Venezuela, and Guyana were among the principal sources. Mexico supplied 33 percent 

 of the total U.S. imports of shrimp. 



Imports of nonedible fishery products were valued at $226.9 million — a gain of $87.4 mil- 

 lion compared with 1969. Increases occurred principally in imports of fish and marine animal oil, 

 aquatic leathers, moss and seaweeds, marine shells and buttons, and other marine animal products 

 such as chemicals and nonmetalic minerals and products. 



Exports of domestic edible fishery products were 140.7 million pounds worth $95.2 million. 

 The value increased 10 percent, but the volume remained about the same as in 1969. Exports of 

 domestic nonedible fishery products were worth $22.5 million — a gain of $4.4 million compared 

 with 1969. 



Exportsof foreign-produced fishery products werevalued at $22.0milUon — 31percent more 

 than in 1969. A sharp increase in exports of fresh or frozen shrimp products accounted largely for 

 the gain. 



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