Shrimp exports consolidated upwards in the first half of the year; Its entry into the Mexican market has not yet been defined

In this first semester, China established itself as the main destination for Ecuadorian shrimp with 50.4%; while Mexico resists allowing their entry

Shrimp was consolidated in this first half of 2022 as the first product in Ecuador's non-oil exportable supply, and also established China as its main destination. However, others are still elusive, such as Mexico, where there is still no definition of whether or not it will enter the trade agreement being negotiated with the Aztec country.

According to figures from theNational Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA)Last June, 209 million pounds of shrimp were exported, generating $599 million, which represented a 37% increase in volume.

While from January to June last1,126 million pounds ($3,292 million), marking a 33% increase in volume compared to the first half of 2021.

The main destination of the crustacean, last June, continued to be China, with 50.4% of total Ecuadorian exports; followed by the United States, with 18.3%; Europe (17.9%), the rest of Asia (10.3%) and other destinations (Africa, Oceania and the rest of America), with 3.1%.

However, this excellent performance of shrimp in international markets contrasts with the lack of definition regarding its entry into the Mexican market, which is still in suspense, like that of bananas; which also delays Ecuador's entry into the Pacific Alliance, since one of the fundamental requirements is that the country has current trade agreements with all members of the bloc: Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. For this reason, signing the treaty with the latter, the only country with which Ecuador does not have an agreement, is essential.

Shrimp and bananas were issues that were left pending in the last round of negotiations that the teams from Ecuador and Mexico developed in Quito the last week of last May. There they agreed to continue virtually later to reach an agreement for these two products. However, there has been no official resolution so far.

The last thing that was known about it came from the president of Mexico, Manuel Lopez Obrador, who last Tuesday told EFE that his Government has not yet reached agreements with Ecuador on shrimp and bananas in the free trade agreement that both countries are negotiating.

“A trade agreement is being signed with Ecuador. However, no agreement has been reached regarding shrimp and bananas,” said the president during his morning press conference at the National Palace.

López Obrador stated that he has a very good relationship with the Ecuadorian president, Guillermo Lasso, who has requested that the Mexican market be opened to these two products, which are key for Ecuador.

However, he specified that Mexico is attending to what producers from states such as Sinaloa, Chiapas and Tabasco are proposing.

According to figures from theNational Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission of Mexico, a decentralized body of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Government, shrimp production in that country closed in 2021 with around 249,958 metric tons, of which 72.8% was through aquaculture and 27. 2% per catch through coastal fishing (16.1%) and high seas (11.1%).

The Mexican president pointed out that the agreement is pending and is being reviewed by the Ministry of Economy in Mexico, but stated that they are supporting Mexican producers, "and one way to support them is to protect the market."

“You cannot bet on an indiscriminate and unlimited opening, as it was before. We have to protect certain sectors that are fundamental and strategic, as all countries do throughout the world,” he indicated.

Given this pronouncement, alerts about a possible exclusion of Ecuador's main non-oil export product from the treaty with Mexico were once again activated in the national shrimp sector.