Suppliers of raw materials and services for aquaculture are being called on to take part in a symposium to be held in Antigua from June 6 to 8, 2018.
The union of Guatemalan exporters is organizing the event, in which suppliers of the sector will be able to showcase their products and services to the more than 200 local and international participants that are expected to attend the activity.
Climatic conditions have favored shrimp production this year, and according to estimates made by the sector, the year could close with an exported volume over 70 million pounds.
The union for this product estimates that if the trend seen in production figures continues until September, 2017 could close with even better figures than those achieved in 2014, considered one of the best performing periods in recent years. Figures from the National Association of Aquaculture Producers of Honduras (Andah) indicate that up to September 30 the volume exported was 45,480,000 pounds.
The Honduran aquaculture industry recorded a 14% increase in shrimp exports in the first half compared to the same period in 2015, and attributed the result to an improvement in productivity.
Figures from the National Association of Aquaculture Producers in Honduras (Andah) indicate that between January and June the volume exported was 23.9 million pounds, up from the almost 21 million pounds exported in the same period in 2016.
Unable to compete with cheaper imports, in the last four years aquaculture production has dropped 31%, and the number of farmers has dropped from 1,241 in 2013 to 287 at the end of 2016.
Preliminary figures from a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization show that in 2012 production of species in water amounted to 27,879 tons, while the projection for the end of 2016 was 19,235 tonnes.
In the first quarter of the year shrimp export earnings grew by 56% compared to the same period in 2015, reaching $27.7 million.
A report from the Central Bank of Honduras states that "... shrimp exports totaled US $27.7 million, US $10 million more in relation to the amount observed up to March in the previous year."
New procedures now apply for certification and sanitary permits required to export fishery and aquaculture products.
The Center for Exports reports that since December 15, 2015 a new resolution is in effect which details inspection process to be carried out by fishery plants and aquaculture production centers to certify their products for export.
September 10 is the deadline for shrimp farms to regularize their legal status and renew or obtain a concession to operate for the first time.
It is estimated that there are 142 farms producing shrimp, which have an estimated 4000 hectares of crops, who have not regularized their legal status under the Act Strengthening Shrimp Farming, which has been in effect for a year.
The Central Cruise Summit 2015 will be held in El Salvador, from 13 to 15 May, where it is expected that 15 corporations from the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association will be involved.
The Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR) hopes to have the participation of 30 union members who will be publicizing various tour packages offered by shipping lines.