Shrimp prices do not raise exports

The first half of 2016 shows a moderate growth in the sales volume of only one of the three main non-oil export products of the country.

This is shrimp, which generated $ 1,217 million compared to $ 1,130 million in the same period of 2015, with an increase of 7.7%, according to information published by the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor).

However, foreign currency income to the sector do not keep up, according to Jose Antonio Camposano, of the National Chamber of Aquaculture.

He says that the sector should have increased production by 15% this semester to grow between 3% or 4%, according to his own figures.

He explains that in the first half of 2015 they exported 343 million pounds and generated $ 1,150 million, and this year they had to produce 400 million pounds just to reach $ 1,200 million.

“So much effort, we had to produce almost 5 million more pounds per month in order to bill only 3% more,” complains Camposano.

With the current average, the sector expected to close the year with revenues of up to $ 2,400 million compared to 2015 ($ 2,270 million), but due to the impact of the earthquake, they project a contraction of up to 5%.

Source: http://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2016/08/22/nota/5757225/precios-no-alzan-exportaciones