The head of the aquaculture industry group said Ecuador’s shrimp exports rose 20% year on year to $8.4 billion in 2025, setting a record driven by sustained investment in the sector in recent years and a temporary boost from higher US tariffs.
In a country that has traditionally relied on crude oil production, shrimp revenue became Ecuador’s largest export, surpassing oil.
According to Reuters, the government estimated in 2024 that shrimp sales would reach nearly $7 billion.
Tariff shift supports sales
Ecuador’s sales were boosted by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on India, the largest supplier of shrimp to the United States, as the South American country faced a lower tariff rate.
According to the industry group, the impact was limited because it applied only to the US market, and exporters will need to monitor how new tariffs develop this year.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump said he had reached an agreement with India.
The agreement would significantly reduce US tariffs on Indian goods in exchange for New Delhi lowering trade barriers and halting the purchase of Russian oil imports.
China remains the main buyer
China remains Ecuador’s largest market, purchasing more than 48% of the country’s shrimp production.
While sales are growing in Japan, the industry is also seeking to maintain exports to the United States and the European Union.
In recent years, the United States has become a more significant destination, accounting for between 22% and 23% of Ecuador’s shrimp exports.
Industry executives have attributed this growth to investments in value-added products.
Exporters remain cautious this year about external factors, including intense competition and uncertainty surrounding US tariff policies.
The industry aims to maintain stable export volumes and, if possible, achieve growth of around 5% in 2026.
Oil declines as non-oil exports grow
Ecuador’s oil industry has also experienced a decline in output due to a lack of investment and other external factors.
Oil exports fell 19% to $7.18 billion between January and November last year.
Since 2023, non-oil exports have been rising steadily.
According to government figures, they reached $29.4 billion last year, up 18.3% from the previous year.
This shift highlights how investment and changing global trade conditions have made shrimp a central pillar of Ecuador’s export economy.
https://invezz.com/news/2026/02/16/ecuador-shrimp-exports-hit-record-overtake-oil-on-tariff-boost-and-investment/
