Teak farms in Ecuador

US shrimp imports between January and September 2007:

Total shrimp imports in the period under review were 391.959 tonnes worth US$ 2.709.3 million (-2.3% and -1.7%). Unit values remained almost unchanged, with a minor positive variation, +0.7%.

Up to August, imports maintained the monthly trend shown in previous years, but in September there was an important drop with volumes falling more than 5.000 tonnes compared to September 2006.

Most imported shrimp products showed this negative trend during the first nine months of the current year, however, those with a positive trend showed important variations on the previous period.

As for the domestic supply, landings have been lower than in 2006 (-23.5%). Meanwhile, this year has been marked by the increase in oil prices, and growing gasoline prices have affected negatively the restaurant industry as households have less disposable income to spend.

Thailand remains the main supplier to the US market. This country accounts for 33.8% of total imports in the period reviewed with 132.347 tonnes. Ecuador is the second exporter with a market share of 11.9% at 44.281 tonnes. The Indonesian share of imports remained almost unchanged and Vietnam grew from 6.3% between January and September 2006 to 7.1% in 2007. Chinese sales fell from 45.343 tonnes in 2006 to 34.373 tonnes in 2007 with market share dropping from 11.3% to 8.8% in the first nine months of 2006 and 2007 respectively.