Workers process shrimp meat at Zhejiang Tianhe Aquatic Products Co in Taizhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

Since Aug 1, four types of specialized licensed fishing vessels have been bringing in fresh catches, marking a bustling period for aquatic product processing enterprises in Taizhou, Zhejiang province.

At Zhejiang Tianhe Aquatic Products Co in Wenling, over 200 workers are processing East China Sea red shrimp meat, 95 percent of which will be exported, mainly to European and North American markets.

The company has also developed seven to eight new products this year, such as shrimp cakes and shrimp chips, planning to promote them in international markets in the second half of the year.

Tianhe Aquatic Products, a pioneer in the export processing of freshwater and marine products, has seen substantial growth this year, with exports hitting $16.36 million from January to July, a 40 percent increase year-on-year.

Similarly, Zhejiang Xingwang Aquatic Products Group Co in Jiaojiang district is experiencing a surge in demand, with recent orders for canned fish reaching 560 metric tons from Thailand clients and potential orders totaling 2,700 tons.

In addition to old customers from Southeast Asia, the company has also received new customers from the Middle East and Africa.

Taizhou Customs reports a 17.68 percent year-on-year increase in aquatic product exports, with 20 export processing enterprises exporting 33,200 tons from January to June this year.