Strong 2005 performance by Ecuador’s shrimp exporters in Europe

Following earlier disease problems, Ecuador’s farmed shrimp industry has recovered steadily, a development reflected in increased sales to Europe in recent years. Despite mixed trends in leading European shrimp markets, 2005 was another strong year for exporters from Ecuador. During the January-October period, key markets increased their imports from Ecuador by 39% compared to an overall import growth of just 4%. With the exception of the UK, Ecuador increased its share of total volume imports in key markets.

Ecuador consolidates leading supply position to Italian market

Ecuador consolidated its leading position in the Italian shrimp market last year following a 34% increase in import volumes during the January-October period. The increase follows a 55% jump in 2004 which allowed Ecuador to overtake Argentina as the number one shrimp supplier to Italy. In value terms, Italian imports from Ecuador increased by 39%, to €54 million. Ecuador accounted for about a quarter of total Italian volume imports and 20% of value imports over the 10 month period.

The increase in sales from Ecuador came in a context of expanding Italian shrimp imports during 2005. Total import volumes increased by 10%, to almost 50 000 tonnes, during the first ten months, pointing to another record year for this market. The overall increase benefited a number of other leading suppliers. A 9% increase left Denmark in second position while a 6% increase allowed India to overtake Spain as the third largest supplier.

Ecuador the fastest growing Latin American supplier to Spain

Spanish shrimp imports increased by 7% to 115 000 tonnes during the January-October last year compared to the same period in 2004. This moderate increase conceals wide variations in shrimp sales from Latin American countries, traditionally the key source of shrimps for the Spanish market.

Volume imports from Argentina, the leading supplier to Spain in recent years, fell by over 70% following a sharp drop in wild shrimp (Pleoticus) landings. Sales from Brazil, the second supplier to Spain, grew modestly at 3%. These trends contrast with a 60% increase from Ecuador from just over 7 000 tonnes in 2004 (10 months) to over 11 000 tonnes last year. As a result, Ecuador’s share of total Spanish shrimp imports jumped from less than 7% in 2004 to almost 10%. Only Colombia (+41%), among the main Latin American suppliers to Spain, managed to approach Ecuador’s growth rate.

French imports from Ecuador up in flat trading context

Between 2000 and 2004, annual French shrimp imports jumped from 65 000 tonnes to over 100 000 tonnes. This growth appears to have evened off in 2005 with figures for the first ten months showing unchanged volume imports at just under 80 000 tonnes. Despite the pause, French imports from Ecuador increased 45%, to 6 800 tonnes, compared with January-October 2004.

Ecuador’s increase contrasts with decreases from other major suppliers such as Brazil, Madagascar and the Netherlands.

French imports from Brazil fell 2% during the ten month period as a result of weaker Brazilian farmed shrimp output. Nevertheless, Brazil is still the leading volume supplier to France, accounting for a quarter of total imports. Weaker production also affected Madagascar which saw French imports fall 17% to 7 700 tonnes. The country remains, however, the top supplier to France in value terms and the second in volume terms. Ecuador’s increase, on the other hand, allowed it to overtake the Netherlands as the third volume supplier to France.

UK market remains oriented towards north European and Asian suppliers

In contrast to other leading EU shrimp markets, UK shrimp imports fell during the first ten months, down 2% to 72 700 tonnes. This was also the only market in which imports for Ecuador slipped, down 14% to 2 300 tonnes compared to January-October 2004.

The UK market is traditionally oriented towards coldwater shrimp suppliers in northern Europe and warmwater shrimp suppliers in Asia. Trends were mixed last year for the main suppliers from these origins. Imports from Iceland, the number one supplier, declined 25% due to lower domestic wild shrimp landings. Supplies from India were stable at 8 600 tonnes while imports from Bangladesh increased by 14%. In this supply context, Ecuador’s share of UK imports remains modest at around 3%.

Further growth projected

Speakers at the recent Global Shrimp Outlook conference confirmed the ongoing recovery in Ecuador’s farmed shrimp industry. Production estimates showed volumes up some 30% during 2005 with a further significant increase projected for 2006. This increase points to another strong export performance in European markets this year.

Gerry O’Sullivan
© 2006 FAO