Colombia has implemented a ban on imports of shrimp from Ecuador to safeguard its domestic shrimp production and prevent the spread of the white spot virus. The decision comes as a precautionary measure to protect the Caribbean region, which is currently unaffected by the disease.

A Major Shrimp Producing Region

The Caribbean region in Colombia accounts for a significant portion of the country’s shrimp production, with Bolívar province alone contributing 87% of the country’s total shrimp output. The southwestern province of Nariño also plays a crucial role, accounting for 11% of Colombia’s shrimp production.

Ecuador has been a significant supplier of shrimp to Colombia, with official statistics revealing that between January and May 2024, the country exported 2.5 million pounds of shrimp to Colombia, valued at USD 5.7 million. However, this ban will effectively halt these imports until further notice.

Industry Response

The National Chamber of Fisheries Commerce of Ecuador (CNA) is awaiting an official response from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Production regarding the ban and has declined to comment on whether the white spot virus has affected production. CNA also noted that no other country has taken similar measures as Colombia.

Colombia is working closely with Ecuador’s Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture to address the issue. The Colombian Institute of Agriculture (ICA) Director General, Juan Fernando Roa, assured that the country will continue to assess the situation and take necessary measures to ensure biosecurity and maintain product quality.

Other Countries Take Similar Measures

Colombia’s ban follows a similar move by Saudi Arabia in March 2023, which temporarily banned imports of shrimp from India due to concerns over the same virus. This highlights the importance of global cooperation in protecting the shrimp industry from disease outbreaks.

Ecuadorian shrimp shipments that have been certified for phytosanitary import since April 8 and found to be free of WSSV in ICA inspection reports can still be imported at ports outside the Caribbean. This limited exemption allows Ecuador to continue exporting its shrimp products while ensuring that only safe and healthy products reach international markets.