For the third quarter of 2021, sales of frozen shrimp and prawns in Central America showed a slight increase in the region, reaching $241 million in exports, of which Honduras is the largest supplier with $188 million at $7.72 per ton.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
Between the third quarter of 2019 and the same period of 2020 the exported value of frozen shrimp and prawns registered a 6% decrease, going from $219 million to $205 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
From January to June 2020, companies from Central American countries exported frozen shrimp and prawns for $60 million, and sales to the United Kingdom grew by 36% compared to the same period in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Because in today's business reality many people prefer to spend more time at home and cook their own food, the demand for easy-to-prepare processed seafood has grown.
At a global level, changes in consumer behavior have been reported, because of the quarantines decreed in several countries of the world by the outbreak of covid-19, people's habits, tastes and preferences have been changing.
From January to March 2020, companies from Central American countries exported frozen shrimp and prawns for $60 million, and sales to Taiwan grew by 56% compared to the same period in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
During the first half of 2020, shrimp exports to Taiwan totaled 7.8 million pounds, a volume that is 75% higher than that reported for the same period in 2019.
Figures from the National Association of Aquaculture Producers of Honduras (Andah) show that the Taiwanese market is one of the most consolidated in recent years, since between the first half of 2019 and the same period of 2020, exports of Honduran shrimp to that destination increased by 3.36 million pounds, from 4.44 to 7.79 million pounds.
Camanica Zona Franca S.A., Agromania Rio Morote S.A. and Premezclas Latinoamericanas S.A., are part of the companies that in 2019 participated in the business of importing shrimp feed in the region.
The market study "Food for Shrimp in Central America", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, details the main figures of the shrimp food import business and exports of the seafood in question.
During the first month of the year, Nicaraguan seafood exports totaled $16.7 million, 19% less than what was reported in the same month in 2019, a situation explained by the decline in demand from Asia and the U.S., important destinations for this sector.
According to data from the Center for Export Processing (Cetrex), between January 2019 and the same month of 2020 exports of seafood products recorded a fall of $ 4 million, from $ 16.7 million to $ 20.7 million.
From January to June 2019, companies in Central American countries exported frozen shrimp and prawns for $116 million, and sales to the United Kingdom grew by 19% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
Through the signing of two protocols, the Central American country is authorized to export to the Asian country pork meat and sausages, as well as fish and shrimp.
Health protocols were signed on December 10 and according to the authorities of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), it is expected that the first shipments to China will be made as soon as possible.
Honduran producers estimate that at the end of 2019 the volume traded abroad will register a reduction of six million pounds compared to what was reported in the previous year.
Directors of the National Association of Aquiculturists of Honduras (Andah), explained that one of the factors that has affected the sector are the low prices that are recorded internationally.
From January to March 2019, companies from Central American countries exported frozen shrimp and prawns for $59 million, and sales to the United Kingdom grew 39% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
A week after suspending operations because of extortion by local criminal groups, Nova Guatemala decided to restart operations on 19 August.
Days ago it was reported that because of the insecurity conditions in the municipality of Champerico, in Retalhuleu, the company had decided to suspend its operation.
However, after reaching an agreement that the National Civil Police and elements of the Army provide surveillance to the facilities, it was decided to resume production activities.
The shrimp company Nova Guatemala, which has been operating for more than 20 years in Champerico, Retalhuleu, has been closed since Aug. 12 because of the extortion it suffers from criminal groups.
Representatives of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) reported that the affected company has approached in search of support, but the details of the case are kept confidential.