The local shrimp consolidates its hegemony in the Asian market
Posted On 24 Jan 2020
In recent years, Asians have been granting a primordial space to the Ecuadorian shrimp. In 2019, it was no exception. Of the $ 3,652 million that the country sold last year, 67% was sued by Asia, a share that grew five percentage points more than in 2018.
The local shrimp consolidates its hegemony in the Asian market
The shipping gap continues to widen with the markets where this crustacean is traditionally exported. Last year, 12% went to the United States , while 19% went to Europe , a share that is below 14% and 22% that they had the previous year.
However, in the Asian market Ecuador has a powerful partner: China. According to figures from the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) , the country’s increase in sales (14% more until December last year) responds, in part, to a greater demand from Chinese buyers. Of the $ 2,407 million sold to Asia, $ 1,986 million were acquired by the Asian giant, 225% more than in 2018.
The increase was maintained despite the inconveniences that the Ecuadorian shrimp had until the end of last year. In mid-September, China decided to apply temporary suspensions to the imports of the plants of four of the most important exporters in the country. This after detecting in the shipments a certain index of shrimp diseases, something that was denied from the Ecuadorian side. On November 27, the measure was suspended.
After China, another important market is Vietnam , where $ 333 million was allocated; however, sales in that market last year fell 73%. Similar behavior was in countries such as South Korea and Japan, where purchases decreased by 9% and 10%, respectively.
Already outside of Asia, general sales were also motivated by higher consumption in the countries of the American continent. Countries like Brazil, Guatemala and Paraguay are demanding more product.
