China's market alone?How Ecuador's white shrimp export pattern will evolve

In June 2024, the latest data released by the Ecuadorian Aquaculture Chamber (CNA) showed some significant changes and trends in the country's white shrimp exports.Through in-depth interpretation of these data, we can gain insight into the dynamics of the Ecuadorian white shrimp export market and potential market trends.

First of all, from the overall export volume, Ecuador's white shrimp exports in June showed a significant decline.Specifically, total exports for the month were 236,535,209 pounds (107,290 tons), down 15 percent from May and 2 percent from a year earlier.This data change may indicate that the export market for Ecuadorian white shrimp is undergoing some adjustment or fluctuation.

（数据来源：CNA）

It is worth noting that despite the decline in export volume, the average export unit price has rebounded.The average export unit price in June 2024 was $2.21 per pound (about $4,872.22 per ton), up $44.1 from May.This slight upward movement in prices may reflect a change in the supply-demand relationship in the market, that is, a decrease in the number of exports led to a certain rebound in market prices.It could also mean that the market has entered a bottoming stage, with prices beginning to stabilize and rebound.

（数据来源：CNA）

Geographically, the Chinese market continues to maintain strong demand for Ecuadorian white shrimp.In June 2024, the Chinese market accounted for 57.74% of Ecuador's total white shrimp exports, 3.86 percentage points higher than the same period last year.Specifically, Ecuador exported 136,575,251 pounds (61,949.49 tons) of white shrimp to China in the month, up 5.18 percent from May last year.This data shows that the import demand for Ecuadorian white shrimp in the Chinese market is still strong and shows a steady growth trend.

However, in contrast to the Chinese market, the import demand for Ecuadorian white shrimp in the US and European markets has declined to varying degrees.In June 2024, Ecuador's exports of white shrimp to the United States decreased by 26.12% compared with the same period last year, with a market share of 13.87%; the total amount of white shrimp exported to Europe also decreased by 12.4% compared with the same period last year, with a market share of 18.80%.Among the major European importers, Spain, Italy and Russia all experienced declines in white shrimp imports to varying degrees, while France, the Netherlands and Lithuania showed an upward trend.

（数据来源：CNA）

The Ecuadorian white shrimp export market showed some significant changes and trends in June 2024, although the overall export volume declined, but the recovery of average export unit price may mean that the market is entering the bottom consolidation stage.At the same time, the difference in geographical distribution further highlights the importance of the Chinese market for Ecuadorian white shrimp, as well as fluctuations in demand in the US and European markets.For Ecuadorian aquaculture operators, these data and trends undoubtedly provide them with important market information and decision-making basis.