Shrimp has already surpassed bananas in exports

Ecuadornews:

As a technical tie José Antonio Camposano, president of the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA), considered the figures of exports that in 2017 registered the two main non-oil export products of the country: bananas and shrimp.

However, the truth is that the shrimp for the first time was ahead of the banana, this time for only $ 3 million. According to their figures, shrimp exports in 2017 were in the range of 940 million pounds, which represented around $ 3,035 million; compared to the $ 3,032 million generated by the banana.

The figures are supported by those of the Central Bank of Ecuador, which show that from January to December of last year shrimp generated $ 3,037.86 million compared to $ 3,034.54 million of bananas. The president of the CNA pointed out that bananas always maintained a difference in favor with shrimp, which ranged between $ 300 million and $ 200 million during the last years, including 2014 when in the first nine months the shrimp was ahead of the fruit, but at the end of the year the balance favored the banana.

In 2016, for example, according to the central bank figures, bananas reached its exports for $ 2,734.16 million, $ 154 million more than the crustacean that had $ 2,580.15 million

But what allowed the rebound of shrimp this year, in which until last November was exceeded by the banana for $ 17 million?

Camposano attributes this to non-typical behavior, due to supply and demand situations, of shrimp exports in December, which he described as a record month when 91 million pounds ($ 291 million) were exported, 50% more than average amount for that month, that with 8% or 10% of habitual growth only had reached the 71 million pounds exported.

“The last two Decembers (2015 and 2016) had been 65 million pounds With 71 million pounds we did not win anyone, so it was an atypical December that helped us, “said Camposano, who despite the achievement recognized that bananas have more regulations than shrimp.”

The banana may have a rule that complicates life, we do not have that and we have always said as a productive sector that we do not aspire to have such regulations,” said Camposano, who pointed out that the sector’s dynamic, supply and The demand that establishes the purchase and sale prices is what has allowed them to plan in the long term and grow.

However, he regretted that there are problems that affect the development of the sector, such as insecurity due to the thefts suffered by shrimp farms, which, according to the leader, does not stop costing $ 60 million per year.

In addition, from the state sector, the Committee of Foreign Trade, according to Camposano, for seven months “does not give way to the exoneration of tariffs for raw materials and inputs for production.” They have also requested the deferral of the zero rate of VAT for the purchase of equipment and supplies, as has the farmer sector. “We are not asking for special treatment,” he said. Despite this, Camposano projected between 8% and 10% growth in shrimp exports this year.

He added that on March 12 will launch a global sustainability initiative that will give the Ecuadorian shrimp a new certification of zero antibiotics and 100% traceability, among other aspects that will help open more markets.

 91 millions of pounds

of shrimp were exported in December 2017, 50% more than the average registered for that month. (I)

Source: https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2018/02/21/nota/6632644/camaron-ya-supero-banano-exportacion