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The Fishing Industry in Chile and the USA: New Markets and Clean Production.
The Chilean seafood industry has experienced the same problems found all over the world; overfishing, declining stocks and unsuccessful fisheries management. However, fisheries management has improved significantly in recent years and combined with the rapid growth of aquaculture, Chile is now exporting a more consistent quantity, improved quality and more valuable seafood to its major trading partners such as the United States, European Union, South Korea and Japan. The requirements of these markets, and the need to get the best prices for exports is driving the Chilean seafood industry to meet ever higher quality, sanitary and environmental standards.
A group of 13 seafood companies in the Coquimbo area of Chile have formed an association dedicated to improving quality, sanitation and environmental friendliness in their enterprises. To assist in this endeavor they are participating in a technical mission to the states of Washington, Alaska and Massachusetts. Bellingham, Washington has some of the most progressive seafood processing plants in the United States. The group will visit three of the best and learn about their quality control programs and the management of plant waste. The group will also visit facilities in Seattle, the principal city of Washington, and then proceed to Alaska, the most important supplier of seafood in North America. In Massachusetts the group will participate in an international seafood exposition.
Food Marketing Tour of California.
Anglatin Ltd. hosted a group of German food marketing executives in California, visiting farms, processing plants, food distributors and food retailers. Beginning in Sacramento, the state capitol, we traveled through agriculturally rich coastal valleys, the San Juaquin valley and the Imperial valley interviewing food distribution company managers, meeting with growers, and learning from University of California experts.
California is the most important food producer in the United States and the companies we visited represent the largest and best in the country. Our visiting German executives learned about quality control, handling efficiency, marketing strategies, market trends, and production as well as distribution technology.
Our time in San Francisco included a comprehensive city tour and a ferry trip past the Golden Gate Bridge. In Hollywood we made the “Walk of Fame” and in Joshua Tree National park we enjoyed the strange geology and abundant wildlife.
It was a truly productive and enjoyable experience, and is available for anyone interested in the food production and service industry.
Profile Destination: Spain & Morocco.
Spain has experienced an amazing transformation following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. A conservative Catholic society has become one of Europe´s most liberal and tolerant societies, democracy is well entrenched and the rural workforce dropped from 60% to 5% of the total. It is a middle-class urban society. From 1994 to 2007 the economy grew at and average rate of 3.6% and unemployment fell from 24% to 8%. Income per person rose from 68% of the EU average in 1986 to 90% of the average in 2007. The standard of living in Spain is now higher than that of Italy. Joining the EU brought many benefits, including more than 168 billion Euros in grants and aid. Most of this was used to improve infrastructure.
When Spain joined the Euro area in 1999 interest rates dropped from 18% to 5% unleashing a housing boom. In 2007 the European Central Bank raised the rates, and the boom turned to bust. Fortunately Spain´s financial institutions were more conservative than those of the United States or England and to-date none have experienced serious difficulties. President Zapatero forecasts a period of stagnation, but expects the economy to return to growth without any structural damage. Spain´s past success has been partly due to good government management. Despite some corruption at the local level, Spanish politics is relatively clean and the economy is open and flexible. It also had a government budget surplus of 2.2% in 2007 and public debt was just 36.2% of GDP.
Spain has been successful at absorbing a large number of immigrants as well as sun seekers from Northern Europe, most of whom purchased a second home in Spain during the last 15 years. With increasing employment, this immigration is expected to slow. At the same time, Spanish industry has moved overseas. In 2000 Spain claimed 8 multinationals among the world´s largest 500. By 2008 that number had risen to 14.
Spain occupies 85% of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with Portugal, in southwest Europe. Africa is less than 10 mi (16 km) south at the Strait of Gibraltar. A broad central plateau slopes to the south and east, crossed by a series of mountain ranges and river valleys. Principal rivers are the Ebro in the northeast, the Tajo in the central region, and the Guadalquivir in the south. Off Spain's east coast in the Mediterranean are the Balearic Islands (1,936 sq mi; 5,014 sq km), the largest of which is Majorca. Sixty mi (97 km) west of Africa are the Canary Islands (2,808 sq mi; 7,273 sq km).
Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) have given Spain one of the most dynamic economies in Europe and made it a global champion of freedom. Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism, the separatist movement in Catalan and Galicia, illegal immigration, and the durrent economic crisis.
Excursion to Morocco: We will take the fast ferry through the Straits of Gibraltar to Tangiers. Upon arrival you must turn your time clocks back by two hours. Departure from Tangier to Tell, a road with beautiful views of the Atlantic and on the European continent. We will visit the cave of Hercules. From there the ride continuous to the old fortress Asilah, which is located directly on the Atlantic and we will tour the Medina and its enormous fortress walls. Return to Tangier. Lunch. After lunch brief orientation journey through Tangiers and attractions for shopping. Return with the ferry to Spain and take the bus back to the hotel.