Despite the fact that it is a sector that does not stop growing in exports, the shrimp union launched an SOS, assuring that by now in 2023, it is recording losses of about 1000 million dollars and citing two reasons that generate them: falling international shrimp prices and rising production costs.

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According to an analysis by the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA), the shrimp sector receives $0.70 less for each pound produced, due to the drop in prices it receives in destination markets, even below those registered during the pandemic. 19. Additionally, an impact of $0.28 less per pound produced is added, due to increased production costs associated with raw materials (soybean meal, wheat, fishmeal, diesel, labor, and uncertainty). This, all together, means that the sector fails to get about $1 per pound produced, the union stressed with concern.

According to the Chamber, the drop in international prices, mainly due to the deterioration of consumption in China and other markets, is seriously affecting the production chain of the sector, which is unable to cover production costs. “Over the past fifteen months, the export price has decreased by $0.70 per pound, creating a significant impact on industry revenues,” the union warned.

This in the context where the first quarter of the year showed positive numbers for shrimp, up 4%, with 2485 million dollars of exports, compared to the same period in 2022; but even though these are “blue” figures, the slowdown in the development of the sector was manifested in the decline of exported pounds and received foreign exchange last April.

According to CNA figures, 206.8 million pounds of shrimp were exported last April, 30 million pounds less than what was shipped last March (236.2 million pounds) and 3 million less than what was exported in January (209.1 million pounds). although similar to what came out in February, which was £206m.

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José Antonio Camposano, president of CNA, was concerned about the negative balance of the sector and assured that these losses threaten the financial stability of the sector this year.

“Today there are shrimp producers who do not cover their costs and take on debt to be able to do business,” said the leader, who reiterated that the alleged growth of the sector should not be viewed only from the point of view of total exports. , but from what is no longer perceived by these factors affecting the shrimp industry.