After three consecutive months of record exports, Ecuadorian shrimp factories returned to more normal activity levels in August, with fewer shipments to key markets.
Export sales fell 20,000 metric tons (mt) from a record level after a slowdown in sales to China following the end of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, according to the Ecuadorian aquaculture association -Camara Nacional de Acuacultura (CNA).
Shipments have returned to pre-May levels, although data show shipments are still 21% higher than last August’s exports of 83,000 mt. Shipments to China were 51,000 mt, down from a record 55,000 mt in July.
Ecuador’s shrimp exports soared by more than 100,000 mt in August amid surging supplies to meet growing demand from China, with strong Chinese purchases supporting Ecuadorian prices.
The U.S. and Europe provided no additional demand. Exports to the U.S. fell to 14,000 mt in August, down 28% from July. Exports to Europe fell 29% to 13,000 mt, following a drop in exports to Spain and France.
The data pointed out that the average unit value of exports in August was US$6.41/kg, an increase of US$0.08/kg from July. However, export earnings were also lower due to lower export volumes, but remained above $534 million, a 21% increase in export value and 21% in volume compared to the same period last year.
Ecuador’s exports in the January-August period are now close to 700,000 mt, up 32% year-on-year. The value of exports reached $4.48 billion, a 50% increase over the same period last year.
