With a historical export of 2,141’316,957 pounds of shrimp between January and November 2022Ecuador broke a new record that strengthens the now main non-oil export product of the country.
In 2021, Ecuador had exported 1,855’634,851 pounds of farmed shrimpa higher figure by then than those registered in the years 2020 (1,491’132,214 pounds), 2019 (1,397’490,379 pounds) and 2018 (1,115’223,755 pounds) when they exceeded one billion pounds, an unprecedented record in shrimp exports Ecuadorian since 1994 as the official figures show.
Thus, by last November, and before the end of 2022, the country had exceeded its record of 2021 having exported 285’682,106 more pounds of shrimp, setting aside the record of that 2021, according to statistics from the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA).
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And those historical ones are also reflected in the companies that lead shrimp exports in Ecuador. Representatives of these firms say that constant investments, technology, research, added value and sustainability are vital each year to achieve objectives.
Santa Priscila Fishing Industry, for example, is the leader in shrimp exports (Litopenaeus vannamei). By the end of 2021 it had already become the world’s leading shrimp exporter to the US and in the first half of 2022 it also conquered that place in China. It is also the largest employer in the sector. It had 15,085 employees in 2021, according to the Superintendence of Companies.
Top 10 of the largest exporters in 2022
No. | Company | Pounds exported 2022 | % participation in the market |
---|---|---|---|
one.) | Saint Priscilla | 349’197,133 pounds | 16% |
2.) | songa | 185’632,302 pounds | 9% |
3.) | Omarsa SA | 185′264,276 pounds | 9% |
4.) | Pacific Ocean S.A. | 115’893,228 pounds | 5 % |
5.) | Proseafood | 89’308,939 pounds | 4 % |
6.) | Empacreci SA | 70’886,537 pounds | 3 % |
7.) | samisa | 68’750,039 pounds | 3 % |
8.) | Exportquilsa Associate Producers | 58’544,746 pounds | 3 % |
9.) | expels | 57’517,473 pounds | 3 % |
10.) | Propemar SA | 46’803,383 pounds | 2 % |
Other shrimp exporters | 913’518,901 pounds | 43% | |
TOTAL | 2,141’316,957 pounds | 100% | |
Source: National Chamber of Aquaculture/ Statistics Cía. Ltd. |
Several of these signatures also appear on the ranking from 2021 of exports accumulated by companies, which has the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA). Here Santa Priscilla, Omarsa and Songa appear again as leaders of the first three positions. There are also Promarisco, Expalsa, Empacreci, Samisa and Pacific Ocean, which are again in the top 10 for 2022.
In 2022 they managed to get into the top 10 signatures like Exportquilsa Associate Producers and Propemar SAunlike 2021 where other names were listed.
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In the case of Exportquilsa, Gabriela Corona, head of Marketing and International Sales, told EL UNIVERSO at the Aqua Expo 2022 Guayaquil, that the last four years They have been a great achievement for this companywith 15 years in the aquaculture sector and who managed to place himself in the top 10 of Ecuador’s shrimp exporters.
Its main market is currently China. They are also present in the United States, in European countries and in other markets such as Japan, South Africa and South Korea. They offer all kinds of export shrimp, such as head-on, headless, peeled and deveined presentations, according to the needs of their international clients.
Whole shrimp is one of the most demanded presentations in the international market, says Corona.
The ten exporters of 2021
No. | Companies | Pounds exported in 2021 | % participation |
---|---|---|---|
one | Saint Priscilla | 288′155,140 pounds | 13% |
2 | Omarsa SA | 194,997,897 pounds | 9% |
3 | songa | 141’105,636 pounds | 7% |
4 | Proseafood | 92’832,790 pounds | 4 % |
5 | expels | 74’758,794 pounds | 3 % |
6 | packed up | 59′180,502 pounds | 3 % |
7 | samisa | 54′214,094 pounds | 3 % |
8 | Pacific Ocean | 46’224,766 pounds | 2 % |
9 | Promaoro SA | 38’116.187 pounds | 2 % |
10 | Proexpo | 37,986,364 pounds | 2 % |
other | 642’400,567 pounds | ||
Source: National Chamber of Aquaculture/ Statistics Cía. Ltd. |
By 2023, the objectives of the sector and of the exporting companies are to continue growing and leaving the name of the Ecuadorian shrimp high. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso

Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.