Shrimp was consolidated in this first semester of 2022 as the first product of the Ecuadorian non-oil exportable supply, and also consolidated 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 the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA)Last June, 209 million pounds of shrimp were exported, which generated $599 million, which represented an increase of 37% in volume.
While from January to June last, they exported 1,126 million pounds ($3,292 million)marking a 33% increase in volume compared to the first half of 2021.
Why is the Ecuadorian shrimp so feared by its competitors?
The main destination of the crustacean, last June, was still China, with 50.4% of the 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 abeyance, as is the case for bananas; with which Ecuador’s entry into the Pacific Alliance is also delayed, since one of the fundamental requirements is that the country has trade agreements in force with all the 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 paramount.
Shrimp and bananas were issues that remained pending in the last round of negotiations that the teams from Ecuador and Mexico held in Quito the last week of last May. There they agreed to continue virtually later to reach an agreement for these two products. However, so far there has been no official resolution.
The last thing that was known about it came from the president of Mexico, Manuel Lopez Obradorwho 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 plantain,” the president said during his morning press conference at the National Palace.
López Obrador affirmed 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 raise.
According to figures from the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission of Mexicoa decentralized body of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Government, the shrimp production of that country closed in 2021 with around 249,958 metric tons, of which 72.8% was through aquaculture and 27, 2% for capture through coastal fishing (16.1%) and high seas (11.1%).
“We cannot close a trade agreement with Mexico if bananas, shrimp and tuna are not included with some type of market access”
The Mexican president pointed out that the agreement is pending and is being reviewed by the Ministry of Economy in Mexico, but he stated that they are supporting Mexican producers, “and one way to support them is that, that the market be protected.”
“You cannot bet on an indiscriminate opening without limits, 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 activated again in the national shrimp sector.
Newspaper EL UNIVERSO consulted the position of the CNA; however, this Friday from the Communication Department of the union it was indicated that an official pronouncement is expected. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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