A recent report on the exports of Alaskan products to the rest of the world has revealed that more and more number of people around the world prefers Alaskan seafood for its superior quality and natural fresh taste.

According to the report on the Q1 exports for the year 2004, the sales of Alaskan products has grown 23 per cent or $147 million compared to the same period last year.

“This is phenomenal growth and well above the excellent year-end results of 2003, when exports climbed 9 per cent over 2002 figures to finish the year at $2.7billion,” said Governor Frank H. Murkowski commenting on the results.

Divulging into the details, the report has revealed that out of the total $789 million in exports, seafood has contributed a mammoth 72 per cent or $567 million. Riding high on the strong sales of Pollock roe in Western Alaska, the sale of fish roe has increased 39 per cent or $68 million against last year.

While the strong sales in Japan, China, Norway and Portugal has catapulted the sales of frozen cod by $21 million or 62 per cent, the crab exports has increased by $8 million with China doubling its exports.

“Stable prices and good harvest volumes have helped fishermen in this important early season catch,” the Governor said.

“More consumers around the world are realising the superior quality and taste of natural fresh Alaska seafood over the lower priced foreign farmed fish,” he said. “This product differentiation is beginning to allow Alaska fishermen some pricing power, not only with the high-end restaurant buyers, but also in the broader seafood markets.”

Apart from seafood, the other contributors to the increased exports include energy sales of light petrochemicals and liquefied natural gas to Japan worth $22 million more than last year.

While the sales of fertiliser, a natural gas byproduct, stood on par with last year’s exports at $44 million, gold trade to Switzerland continued to flourish at $25 million in exports for the quarter.

Exports of minerals of lead and zinc have registered $6 million for a total of $25 million, which is 32% above the first three months of 2003.