Ecuador could shift Spain shrimp volumes to US

Ecuadorian shrimp processors could be forced to divert sales from Spain to the United States, said a US-based buyer.

Ernie Wayland, executive vice president with US-based seafood importer International Marketing Specialists (IMS), said the weakness of the European market is likely to see Ecuador target the United States more.

“Ecuador will most likely increase their exports to the US this year,” he told IntraFish.

“This is not because of any significant increase in production, but because there most likely will be a drop off in Spain’s purchases of head-on shrimp, due to their deepening recession that will affect consumer spending.