Foreign Minister Enrique Reina of Honduras has announced the country’s intent to file a formal complaint with Mexican diplomatic authorities regarding the recent closure of shrimp in the state of Sinaloa. This move comes as Honduras believes that the closure of shrimp in Sinaloa not only hampers trade but also violates the existing Free Trade Agreement between Mexico and Central America.

Maintaining Superior Sanitary Quality

Despite the closure of shrimp operations in Sinaloa, Minister Reina emphasized that Honduran shrimp continue to uphold the highest standards of sanitary quality. He supported this claim with concrete figures, stating that there have been no irregular variations in exports from Honduras, and there is no evidence of any kind of triangulation occurring on the Honduran side.

Minister Reina strongly criticized what he views as a protectionist measure employed by Mexican companies. He believes that these companies are attempting to utilize a mechanism that deviates from the protocols established by the Free Trade Agreement. He insists that the decision to close shrimp operations in Sinaloa must be reconsidered in accordance with the terms of the trade agreement.

Mexico: A Vital Export Destination

Honduras relies significantly on Mexico as an export destination for its farmed shrimp, with Mexico representing the second-largest market, accounting for 27% of total shrimp exports as of November 2023. This amounts to approximately 8,759 metric tons, as reported by the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH).