In June, a total of 462.5 thousand tons of anchovy were landed in Peru.
Photo: Produce.
The Peruvian Ministry of Production (Produce) reported that the good anchovy catches for indirect human consumption - that is, anchovy for the production of fishmeal and fish oil - are behind the boost of the country's fishing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in June 2025.
Specifically, the extractive fishing GDP grew by 33.7% in June. Produce said that, thanks to this result, it is estimated that, in the sixth month of the year, the Peruvian fishing sector contributed PEN 504 million (EUR 122.24 million / USD 141.04 million) to the national GDP.
Likewise, Peru's Ministry of Production also noted that the total volume of fish landings in that month reached 614.5 thousand tons, which represented a significant increase of 69.7% with respect to the same month of the previous year.
"This result is mainly explained by increases in anchovy landings for direct human consumption (91.5%)," said the head of Produce, Sergio González Guerrero. "Also, it favored the significant growth of 26% in the extraction of resources for Direct Human Consumption," he added.
Regarding the contribution of landings for indirect human consumption, Produce pointed out that this reached a total of 462.5 thousand tons of anchovy, which, as mentioned by Minister González, represented an increase of 91.5% over that recorded in June 2024, when 241.6 thousand tons were recorded.
This growth was mainly due to increased fishing activity in the localities of Callao, whose landings increased by 437.7%; Supe Puerto, where they increased by 623.2%; Tambo de Mora, with an increase of 770.6%; Carquín, whose increase amounted to 1,007.7% more; and Chancay, which achieved a remarkable increase in landings of 4,563.4%.
Peruvian anchovy catches are key to global fishmeal and fish oil production, as Peru has historically accounted for an average of 20% of world production. Thus, IFFO, The Marine Ingredients Organisation, highlighted in its latest report the cancellation of the first anchovy fishing season 2025 in north-central Peru as something to keep in mind for production results in the coming months.
Produce concluded the season following the scientific recommendation of the Peruvian Institute of the Sea (Imarpe). It did so to protect the spawning and juvenile stock, even without having reached the total quota. However, at the time of closing, catches amounted to 2,457,487 tons, 81.92% of the total allowed catch (TAC) of 3,000,000 tons, and the figure was expected to increase slightly when the final figures are provided.
As for landings of species destined for direct human consumption, according to Produce information, in June 2025, they registered 152 thousand tons, which represented a significant increase of 26% over the same month of the previous year.
This growth was mainly due to the higher extraction of resources for the freezing industry, which increased by 65.6%, although the increase was partially offset by declines in fresh consumption, which decreased by 8.4%; canning, which reduced by 36.9%; and curing, which registered a decrease of 43.4%.
Precisely, June was the last month for the season of what has undoubtedly become the star species for direct human consumption in 2025. The jumbo flying squid fishery had to be suspended to ensure its long-term sustainability. The abundance of the resource had caused the TAC - which, after having been initially set at 190,000 tons, had been extended twice to 304,209 tons - to be reached two months before its official expiration date scheduled for August 31.
The Peruvian Ministry of Production made the decision seeking to balance the economic needs of the fishery with the sustainability of the resource. "Taking care of the jumbo flying squid is taking care of the livelihoods of thousands of Peruvian families," the Vice Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Jesús Barrientos, said then. Just the jumbo flying squid fishery involves 4,475 artisanal vessels in Peru, generating direct employment for more than 14,000 fishermen, and benefiting some 70,000 people in the country.
