The Ecuadoran shrimp industry continues to be one of pillars of the country’s economy, representing more than 13 percent of its non-petroleum exports. Prices and volumes are far from recovering from their 2009 peak, before the economic crisis hit the country’s main export markets in Europe and the United States. Prices have also been tempered by the arrival of additional Pacific white (vannamei) production from Asian countries like Vietnam and India, among others. However, volume has increased, thus making up for lower prices.
Ecuadoran shrimp exports between January and July 2012 totaled USD 741.9 million, a 9 percent increase over the same period last year, while the volume was up 13 percent, for a total of 121 metric tons (MT). The average price paid during that period was USD 6,139 per MT, 2.8 percent less than last year. One factor affecting the competitiveness of Ecuadoran shrimp is the country’s lack of trade agreements with Europe, its main market accounting for more than 50 percent of exports. This trade problem could significantly affect future import duties when preferential rates expire. This obliges the industry to compete with other countries for the U.S. market.
In terms of prices per size, the latest vannamei prices from the Ecuadoran Aquaculture Undersecretariat, fob in U.S. dollars per pound for shell-on product are: U-7, USD 12.30per pound; U-10, USD 12.15; U-12, USD 10.15; U-15, USD 6.85; 16-20, USD 4.25; 21-25, USD 3.90; 26-30 USD 3.65; 31-35, USD 3.10; 36-40, USD 2.95; 41-50, USD 2.65; 51-60, USD 2.45; 61-70, USD 2.35; 71-90, USD 2.25; 91-110, USD 2.05; 110 and up, USD 1.95.
Prices for whole shrimp (head on) range from USD 6.65 per kilogram for 10-20s to USD 2.70 per kilogram for 140-200s.
