Ecuador's shrimp industry grows, ProEcuador working to find end markets

Ecuador’s shrimp industry is growing fast and is on track for more than 10% compound annual growth in 2026, with experts saying it could even double production capacity through better genetics and farming techniques. As output rises, finding buyers has become the next challenge. Juan Pablo Cuesta, trade commissioner for New York City and part of ProEcuador, said Ecuador has become the world’s top shrimp exporter and is working on the “demand side,” including U.S. market access. ProEcuador, a public export promotion institution with about 24 offices in 21 countries, supports companies through trade shows and FDA-related guidance and the Seafood Import Monitoring Program. The article notes China’s historical dominance, including a suspension of health certificates for some producers, and how losing a major market can hurt financially.