Ecuador Shrimp Prices Rise China Wholesale Market Faces Pressure

During the Zhanjiang Aquatic Products Expo (June 18-20), Omarsa President Sandro Coglitore stated that Ecuador's shrimp production is expected to decline over the next 3-4 months, leading to higher raw material costs and likely price increases in China’s wholesale market.

Coglitore revealed that colder weather in Ecuador has slowed shrimp farming, which will reduce harvests and tighten supply. “We’ve observed that Chinese wholesalers, who were recently facing losses, now have to replenish stocks at higher costs. All signs point to wholesale prices rising,” he said.

At the expo, prices for 30/40-sized frozen shrimp increased by $0.10/kg to approximately $4.70/kg, while 40/50-sized shrimp averaged $4.50/kg, and 50/60-sized shrimp stood at $4.30/kg. The largest size, 20/30, was priced between $5.70 and $5.80/kg.

Although domestic white shrimp is currently in peak season and some prices have hit yearly lows, Coglitore believes the smaller size of domestic shrimp limits their impact on Ecuador’s larger-sized exports.

Omarsa exported 7,000-8,000 containers of shrimp to China last year but has shifted its focus to the U.S. market, where demand is growing. With the U.S.-Ecuador tariff rate expected to remain at 10% after the July 9 deadline, Ecuadorian shrimp could gain a competitive edge as tariffs on other Asian exporters may rise significantly.

While Ecuador’s shrimp exports in the first five months of 2025 outpaced last year, shipments to China declined. Omarsa’s sales, however, remained stable, and orders are scheduled through July. Coglitore predicts that Ecuador’s shrimp exports to China in 2025 will either match or fall slightly below last year’s levels as suppliers diversify into other markets.