Shrimp Ecuador

Shrimp farming in Ecuador is a cornerstone of the national economy, making the country the world’s leading producer and exporter of farmed shrimp The industry began in the 1960s and has grown significantly, with a total farming area of approximately 219,656 to 232,071 hectares as of recent years Shrimp farming contributes substantially to Ecuador’s GDP, accounting for 5.7 percent in 2022, and represents 23.6 percent of the country’s exports, making it the largest non-oil export product Production has surged from $1 billion in exports in 2011 to $6.653 billion in 2022, with Ecuador producing 1.3 million metric tons (MT) of shrimp in 2022—surpassing India and China, which are tied for second place

The industry is dominated by marine shrimp, primarily Litopenaeus vannamei, which accounts for over 95 percent of aquaculture output Shrimp farms are typically large, with most ponds ranging from 10 to 20 hectares in size, and stocking densities between 15 and 25 shrimp per square meter The average annual yield is about 5 tonnes per hectare Production cycles last around 100 days, with survival rates varying between 24 and 60 percent, and mean harvest weights of 11.5 grams

Historically, the industry relied on wild post-larvae (PL) for stocking, but this practice was banned in 2002, leading to a complete shift to hatchery-produced PL Today, Ecuador has around 300 registered hatcheries with a production capacity of 58 billion PL per year, sufficient to meet the national demand of 45 billion The industry has developed robust genetic improvement programs, with eight to nine companies managing selective breeding programs that have produced shrimp with increasing resistance to pathogens like White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) This resilience was critical after the WSSV outbreak in 2000, which caused a 70 percent contraction in exports; recovery was achieved through mass selection of disease-resistant survivors, leading to a resurgence in production

Environmental and management practices have evolved to address sustainability concerns. While early farming occurred on former mangrove areas, which are less suitable due to high carbon and sulfur content and poor drainage, modern farms use improved soil and water management Water exchange rates have decreased significantly—from 10–15% per day to 1–3% or none—due to rising diesel costs and the need to reduce disease transmission risks Inland shrimp farming has also emerged, particularly after the WSSV crisis, utilizing underground water and repurposed red claw farms, though with variable success Effluent management includes sedimentation ponds with emergent plants for filtration, and in inland systems, no water is exchanged during production cycles

The industry is supported by strong institutional frameworks, including the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA), which represents all sectors of the supply chain and helps shape regulations Ecuador has implemented a National Control Plan aligned with EU sanitary standards, ensuring traceability and quality, which facilitates access to major markets like the U.S. and Europe Additionally, the country has established 15 water quality monitoring stations in the Gulf of Guayaquil, with improvement recommendations expected by the end of 2025

Despite challenges such as the impracticality of strict biosecurity on large farms, Ecuador continues to innovate through the use of probiotics, raceways, and concrete tanks to improve survival and optimize resource use The industry also diversifies into tilapia farming, with around 2,000 hectares dedicated to this species, often in repurposed shrimp ponds Overall, Ecuador’s shrimp farming success stems from a combination of genetic resilience, technological adaptation, strong institutional support, and a focus on sustainable practices.

Shrimp Connections in Ecuador

Omarsa

Songa

Santa Priscila

Cofimar