In May 2025, Ecuador exported an astonishing 151,521 metric tons of shrimp, marking the highest monthly export volume in the history of the global shrimp trade by any country. In value terms, May exports reached $785 million, a +30% increase year-on-year, setting a new monthly record for export revenues as well.
From January to May 2025, Ecuador shipped a total of 593,080 metric tons of shrimp, representing a 17% year-over-year increase. Export revenues rose to $3.14 billion, representing a 26% growth over the same period last year.
Market Highlights: EU and Japan Show Explosive Growth
While China and the US remain Ecuador’s two largest markets—accounting for 49% and 19% of total exports respectively—the most remarkable YTD growth came from the EU (+44%) and Japan (+57%), two markets with historically smaller volumes but accelerating demand.
Outlook
With five months completed, after two years of limited growth, Ecuador’s shrimp industry is on track for yet another record-breaking year. If the current trend continues, shrimp exports may reach 1.4-1.5 million MT, which could be a liveweight equivalent of around 1.6-1.7 million MT.
Byte in Numbers
Totals
- Volume
- Jan: 102,145 MT = +14% YoY
- Feb: 111,027 MT = +21% YoY
- Mar: 113,240 MT = +23% YoY
- Apr: 115,145 MT = +3% YoY
- May: 151,521 MT = +21% YoY
- YTD (Jan–May): 593,080 MT = +17% YoY
- Value
- Jan: $545 million = +26% YoY
- Feb: $589 million = +30% YoY
- Mar: $610 million = +33% YoY
- Apr: $606 million = +12% YoY
- May: $785 million = +30% YoY
- YTD (Jan–May): $3,135 million = +26% YoY
Top Markets
- China
- Jan: 58,191 MT = +15% YoY
- Feb: 51,927 MT = +11% YoY
- Mar: 46,986 MT = +14% YoY
- Apr: 53,013 MT = -15% YoY
- May: 82,305 MT = +18% YoY
- YTD (Jan–May): 292,422 MT = +8% YoY
- USA
- Jan: 18,968 MT = +14% YoY
- Feb: 20,717 MT = +5% YoY
- Mar: 25,280 MT = -1% YoY
- Apr: 21,461 MT = +17% YoY
- May: 26,587 MT = +12% YoY
- YTD (Jan–May): 113,014 MT = +9% YoY
- EU
- Jan: 15,059 MT = +16% YoY
- Feb: 22,224 MT = +56% YoY
- Mar: 23,722 MT = +56% YoY
- Apr: 24,352 MT = +36% YoY
- May: 26,214 MT = +37% YoY
- YTD (Jan–May): 111,571 MT = +40% YoY
- Russia
- Jan: 1,110 MT = -30% YoY
- Feb: 1,595 MT = -35% YoY
- Mar: 2,206 MT = +6% YoY
- Apr: 3,120 MT = +16% YoY
- May: 2,020 MT = +3% YoY
- YTD (Jan–May): 10,051 MT = -7% YoY
- Japan
- Jan: 925 MT = +36% YoY
- Feb: 1,949 MT = +113% YoY
- Mar: 1,629 MT = +107% YoY
- Apr: 1,351 MT = +1% YoY
- May: 2,179 MT = +54% YoY
- YTD (Jan–May): 8,033 MT = +57% YoY
