Foreign companies have rejected the purchase of Mexican shrimp, sending shockwaves through the local shrimp industry. Jorge Luis Romo Perea, the vice president of the Federation of Fishing Cooperatives in Guasave, recently disclosed this alarming development, marking the first time in his 25-year career as a fisherman that such a rejection has occurred.

Unprecedented Rejection

Jorge Luis Romo Perea, with years of experience in the fishing sector, expressed his concern over the unexpected rejection of Mexican shrimp by foreign companies. He explained that in all his years as a fisherman, he had never encountered such a situation. This shocking turn of events has thrown the Mexican shrimp industry into a state of uncertainty.

Commercialization Paralyzed

Romo Perea revealed that the commercialization of shrimp from Mexico has come to a complete standstill, leaving the sector in a state of limbo. The lack of demand has created a cloud of uncertainty over the future of Mexican shrimp exports.

Market Saturation Due to Ecuador

One of the primary reasons behind the foreign companies’ rejection of Mexican shrimp is the oversaturation of the United States market with shrimp from Ecuador. Ecuadorian shrimp exports have flooded the US market, creating an excess supply of the crustacean. This surplus has made it difficult for Mexican shrimp to find its place in the market.

Outstanding Debts and Declining Sales

Romo Perea further highlighted the dire situation by pointing out that even companies with a history of trading with Mexican shrimp are refusing to accept any products. Some of these companies even have outstanding debts with Mexican shrimp suppliers, exacerbating the financial woes faced by the industry.

Sales have plummeted, with the shrimp industry managing to sell only 15,000 pounds out of a total inventory of 24,900 pounds. This substantial reduction in sales is indicative of the challenges faced by Mexican shrimp producers in a market flooded with cheaper Ecuadorian shrimp. In previous years, at the beginning of the shrimp season, they would typically sell 25 to 26 thousand pounds of shrimp, he added.