The slowdown in economic activity in 2014 was also reflected in the decline in foreign direct investment, which reached $2.106 billion, 21% less than in 2013.
From a report issued by the Central Bank of Costa Rica:
In 2014, operations with the external sector showed an imbalance in the current account equivalent to 4.9% of GDP (5.0% in the previous year).
In 2014 revenues from sales abroad of shrimp were $252 million, up 9.1% compared to the previous year.
In 2014 30.7 million kilos of shrimp was produced, up 0.3% from the 30.6 million kilos recorded in 2013. The increase in exports is mainly due to an 8% increase in the international price, according to the Central Bank of Honduras.
Fish which undergoes long-term processing such as canned fish, seafood and prepared fish dishes represents 52% of the retail market for processed fish, followed by frozen and refrigerated fish.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food in Canada (AAFC), the seafood market in Canada increased from $2.8 billion (684.200 tons) in 2009 to $3.8 billion (709.100 tons) in 2013 and it is expected that demand will continue to increase as Canadians include fish and seafood as a regular part of their healthy diet. It is also expected that prices will increase by over 40% in 2016 compared to 2009.
Exporters of farmed shrimp, tilapia, melons, Asian vegetables, pineapple, grapefruit, banana and cocoa are negotiating the entry of products into the European market.
The United States is the main market due to its proximity, but with new technologies for food preservation, lengthening their lifespans by up to four weeks, it is expected that more distant markets will be reached.
85% of the seafood consumed by Americans is imported, with shrimp, freshwater fish fillets and crab having the largest volume of all such goods imported from abroad.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office:
Some time ago, the USA depended only on shellfish fished on its coasts, the state of New York was famous for its oysters and Louisiana and Mississippi for its prawns, but things have changed.
Shrimp exports to the European Union could be affected by allegations of environmental damage caused by illegal shrimp farming in wetland areas.
The National Aquaculture Association of Honduras (Andah) has expressed concern about the consequences of illegal shrimp farming and the illegal construction of ponds for their production.
"The consequences of illegal shrimp farming could be reflected in free trade with the European Union (EU), one of the first regions to adopt market restrictions on domestic production."
The Food and Drug Administration has included in its black list the company Iberoamericana de Mariscos after finding salmonella in its product.
The Food and Drug Administration agency of the United States has included in a list of banned products shrimp packaged by the company Iberoamericana de Mariscos, after salmonella was detected in the product.
Growth in export volume and favorable international prices benefited the sector which exported $23 million more than in 2012.
The shrimp industry closed 2013 with revenues of $190 million in exports, $22.8 million more than at the end of last year.
Entrepreneur Marco Polo Micheletti told Proceso.hn that the entry into force of the Association Agreement with the European Union helped them to achieve this increase in revenues.
A little over a year after the launch of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council seal of approval there are now over 500 certified aquaculture products which have been released onto the world's markets.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
In the world market there are over 500 aquaculture products certified under the seal ASC, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (a nonprofit organization that certifies the sustainability of aquaculture products) a year and a few months since the launch of this new certificate.
The new tax has been created by the Mexican government in retaliation for the suspension for health reasons on Honduran exports to the Mexican market.
The suspension of exports from Honduras to this country were put in place because of the threat of entry of early mortality syndrome (SMT by its initials in Spanish), which has caused great losses in the Mexican states of Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit.
A decline in farmed shrimp production in Mexico could generate opportunities in Europe, America, and Japan for regional producers.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Producers of shrimp raised in farms in Sinaloa are facing a serious illness, which has already caused a high mortality rate and millions in economic losses.
Market studies reveal great opportunities in the U.S. market for ready to consume tilapia fillets.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Fresh tilapia fillets which are ready to prepare became today the most important choice for the farmers in the Department of Huila in Colombia, when competing in the world market.
This December the first 2,500 cultured octopuses will be exported to Japan with a unit price of $5.
According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Honduras, Juan Carlos Ordóñez, "the octopus farming project started two years ago with 200 who passed through different phases with positive results, managing to adapt to the climatic conditions and the country's water ".
In the past two years six cooperatives producing farmed shrimp improved their production by 175%, and entered the European market.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
As a result of a project initiated by the Enterprise and Employment Programme, part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), six cooperatives of shrimp farmers in Nicaragua, located in the Estero Real, Chinandega, improved their production by 175% and entered the European market in the past two years.