The value of fish exported from the Maldives rose to USD 4.48 million in March, a significant increase from the USD 3.31 million recorded in February, according to statistics released by the Maldives Customs Service.
The month-over-month comparison represents a 35 per cent expansion in total export volume. The nation’s export market remains heavily anchored by skipjack and yellowfin tuna, which are processed into frozen, fresh, and canned preparations to meet international demand.
The export of canned skipjack tuna alone saw a 75 per cent increase during the month. Revenue for this specific category climbed to USD 3.31 million in March, up from USD 1.88 million the previous month, the Customs Service reported.
A detailed breakdown of the March figures illustrates the dominance of processed goods. Canned fish accounted for USD 3.31 million of the total export value, followed by frozen skipjack tuna at USD 518,493 and fresh yellowfin tuna at USD 389,870.
Fish products continue to constitute the largest share of the country’s total exported goods. To augment income from the industry, the government is currently working to expand processing and storage capacities across the nation. The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources stated that the administration aims to multiply the nation’s fish processing capacity ninefold within a three-year timeframe.