March 7, 2012

El Or contributes 30% of Ecuador's shrimp exports

El Oro Province, Ecuador contributed 30% of domestic shipments of shrimp abroad in 2011, according to the chief executive of the National Aquaculture Chamber (CNA), José Antonio Camposano.

Last year, El Oro exported 11 million pounds of shrimp for US$32 million and in 2010, three million and a half pounds for US$9 million.

In November last year, CNA estimated that the country would export a total of US$950 million while in 2010 shrimp was sent abroad for US$800 million.

In addition, Camposano announced that Ecuador is looking for new markets to export goods.

For example, in 2011 the Asian continent became one of the main markets for Ecuadorian shrimp along with the EU and the US.

In 2011, the country exported about 36% of shrimp to the US market and 50% was exported to Europe, equivalent to about 200 million pounds of shrimp, La Opinion reported.

The CNA president also noted that during last year, exports to China and to South Korea almost quadrupled.

He also indicated that it is important to maintain relations with the EU without neglecting the focus process on new markets.