Ecuador's white shrimp exports increased by 12% in April

The latest data shows that Ecuadorian white shrimp production increased by 12% year-on-year in April 2024, reaching 232.8 million pounds. Previously, industry insiders expected that production might decline throughout the year, but strong performance in April shattered this forecast. Although production has not yet reached its all-time high (245 million pounds in June 2023), the Ecuadorian white shrimp industry has shown strong resilience.

In the first quarter of 2024, Ecuador's total white shrimp exports fell by 8% to 272,432 tons, while the export value also decreased by 17% to US$1.345 billion. In China, the largest export market, shipments fell 27% in volume and 38% in value. However, import volumes from markets such as Japan, the Netherlands, and Greece have increased significantly, providing new impetus for Ecuadorian white shrimp exports.

The CEO of Omarsa predicts that if the U.S. anti-dumping tax rate remains low, output will remain stable in 2024. At the same time, the Ecuadorian white shrimp industry is undergoing consolidation, with technological advancement and efficiency improvements becoming key drivers. Despite facing multiple challenges, the Ecuadorian white shrimp industry has shown strong production capacity and market adaptability.