Shrimp Exports Surge 23% in January 2026 — Record Pace
January Performance
Ecuador's shrimp exports grew 23% year-over-year in January 2026, maintaining the accelerating trajectory that produced a record $7.47 billion in total shrimp exports during 2025. The Cámara Nacional de Acuacultura (CNA) projects an additional 15% growth in 2026 full-year exports, which would push the industry past $8.5 billion.
Export Trajectory
| Year | Shrimp Exports | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $5.0B | +23% |
| 2022 | $6.6B | +32% |
| 2023 | $5.8B | -12% (China demand dip) |
| 2024 | $6.3B | +9% |
| 2025 | $7.47B | +19% |
| 2026 (projected) | $8.5B+ | +15% |
Shrimp has consolidated its position as Ecuador's largest single export product, surpassing crude oil in value and accounting for approximately 25% of total exports. Ecuador is the world's largest shrimp exporter, holding approximately 22% of global market share.
Market Destinations
| Market | Share (est.) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| China | ~35% | Growing — Chinese demand recovery |
| United States | ~20% | Growing — ART tariff elimination |
| European Union | ~18% | Stable — FTA access since 2017 |
| Vietnam (re-export) | ~8% | Stable |
| South Korea | ~5% | Growing |
| Other | ~14% | Diversifying |
The U.S.-Ecuador ART signed on March 13 eliminates tariffs on Ecuadorian shrimp entering the U.S. market, which currently absorbs approximately $1.2 billion annually. Combined with the China FTA (operational since May 2024) and the EU Trade Agreement (2017), Ecuador's shrimp sector now has preferential access to its three largest markets.
Industry Drivers
Production scale: Ecuador's aquaculture operations span approximately 250,000 hectares of shrimp ponds, primarily concentrated in the coastal provinces of Guayas, El Oro, and Manabí. The industry employs over 250,000 workers directly and indirectly.
Biosecurity: Ecuador has maintained relatively strong biosecurity protocols, avoiding the disease outbreaks (EMS, white spot syndrome) that have devastated competitors in Southeast Asia.
Cost competitiveness: Ecuador's production costs remain competitive at approximately $2.50-3.00/lb, supported by favorable climate conditions, established supply chains, and economies of scale.
What to Watch
- U.S. CVD review — the preliminary results of the countervailing duty review on Ecuadorian shrimp (March 10) could impose duties that partially offset ART benefits
- China demand trajectory — Chinese import volumes in Q1 2026 will signal whether the 2025 recovery is sustained
- Disease risk — any biosecurity breach in Ecuador's production base would be market-moving given the country's global market share
- Price environment — global shrimp prices have been under pressure from oversupply; Ecuador's volume growth depends on prices holding above production cost breakeven
Sources: Undercurrent News
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