Seventeen Ecuadorian shrimp exporters from this Tuesday, October 3rd to this Thursday, October 5th, are participating in the twenty-fourth edition of the Conxemar International Frozen Seafood Fair, held at the Vigo Fair Institute (IFEVI) in Vigo, Spain.

Ecuador’s shrimp industry generated more than $7.2 billion in 2022, and from January to last July, it recorded exports of $4.397 million, 14% more in volume, but -2% in turnover than the same period in 2022. This is , however, ranks first in non-oil and mining exports, according to the latest official data.

In 2023, shrimp dethroned oil for the first time as the first export product with 314 million dollars

Meanwhile, Ecuador’s delegation is one of more than 45 that arrived at the international event. These include Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates, as new additions, and Mauritania, Turkey, Greece and the Netherlands, participating as country pavilions for the first time.

In the case of Ecuador, the pavilion that unites 17 companies is called The First Class Shrimp and occupies an area of ​​341 m², 41 m² more than the previous year. The 17 Ecuadorian companies participating in the fair, in coordination with the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA), are: Cofimar, Crimasa, Edpacif, Excamecor, Expalsa, Exportquilsa, Frigolandia, Langosmar, Limbomar, Nirsa, Omarsa, Procamaronex, Proexpo, Promarosa, Songa , Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and Total Seafood.

For more than two decades, CNA has been in charge of organizing Ecuador’s participation in Conxemar, with the aim of promoting exports to Europe and establishing new links with wholesalers, importers and other key players in the trade chain.

More than 110,000 hectares of shrimp farms are at risk of flooding if El Niño arrives, more than half are under concessions, and the sector is looking for a ‘savior’ with a decree

The union pointed out that this year the fair is consolidating itself as one of the most important in the world in its sector, presenting a renewed and modern image. Spaces have been optimized, expanding the exhibition area to 37,000 square meters, which represents an increase of 11.4% compared to the previous edition in 2022.

One of the highlights of the event is the XI Conxemar-FAO International Congress, focused on issues of sustainability and blue transformation. It will feature 21 international exhibitors, further cementing Conxemar as a leader in promoting sustainable practices in the frozen seafood industry.