Chilean nylon shrimp (H. reedi)
Chile exports almost 75 percent of its nylon shrimp to the U.S. market and the remainder to Europe and South America. This niche product is aimed at buyers with access to chefs that appreciate the premium quality of this MSC-certified product and know how to prepare it.
The Chilean nylon shrimp fishery and exports are dominated by several processors, such as Pesquera Quintero and Antartic Seafood, and fishing companies like BRACPESCA and Isla Damas. Chilean nylon shrimp is larger than most other coldwater species and as such they do not compete directly.
Antartic Seafood Business Developer Laura Rietdijk explains that Chilean nylon shrimp, also known as camarones, does compete with Northern prawn to some extent.
“If the price of the Northern prawn is above the price of the camarones, importers tend to look for an alternative and/or additional supply which might result in more demand for camarones,” Rietdijk said.
