Ecuadorian shrimp exports rise 10% in July, on higher sales to all key markets

Ecuadorian shrimp exports rose by 10.31% in July, compared with the same period a year earlier, reaching 107,424 mt, amid higher shipments to all its main markets, according to figures from the National Aquaculture Chamber, or CNA.

Ecuador has been increasing shipments this year amid strong harvests, which have been affecting prices throughout the year, according to sources. The Platts' Ecuador Shrimp Marker was $5,150/mt FCA Guayaquil Sept. 1, down from $5,350/mt Jan. 2. On Jun. 27, prices were at the year's lowest of $4,600/mt FCA.

Exports to the US had the biggest increase in July, of 14.33%, to 17,031 mt. The country's importers had been stocking up before new reciprocal tariffs came into effect in early August, according to sources.

Sales to Europe rose by 5.93%, to 25,828 mt, and exports to China, the biggest consumer of Ecuadorian shrimp, rose by 9.50% to 54,294 mt.

Despite the increase in the annual comparison, the July figure shows a reduction from previous months, as production has been affected by the seasonally cooler weather, according to market participants. In July, exports declined by 15% from the 126,074 mt exported in June, and came to the lowest level since January, when shipments were 102,145 mt.

Market participants expect exports to continue falling on a monthly basis in August due to adverse weather conditions.

From January to July, Ecuador exported 826,578 mt of shrimp, an increase of 15.82% from the same period a year earlier and also a record-high for the period.

Exports to the US totaled 151,432 mt, up 13.20%, and sales to Europe reached 184,374 mt, up 32.16% on the year.

Platts is part of S&P Global Energy.