Fernando Villamizar, president of the Western Shrimp Producers Association (Asoproco) of Venezuela, announced Venezuela’s plan to scale up its shrimp production to 600,000 tons by 2030. Villamizar, speaking at the China International Import Expo 2024, emphasized that a majority—around 60%—of this expanded production will be earmarked for export to China. This ambitious target underscores the central role of the Chinese market in Venezuela’s economic strategy for its shrimp industry.

Venezuela’s recent production growth is notable. According to Villamizar, output has climbed from a modest 25,000 tons in recent years to 60,000 tons, with signs pointing toward further acceleration. This rapid increase in output is credited largely to the Venezuelan government’s support of the shrimp industry and to strengthened trade ties with China.

A Partnership Anchored in Bilateral Agreements

China’s expanding demand for seafood has transformed it into a valuable trading partner for countries seeking to grow their export-driven fisheries. For Venezuela, partnerships with China are not just economic but also a strategic means of diversifying export markets. Bilateral agreements have been crucial in facilitating this growth, with China supporting improvements in quality control, food safety, and market accessibility.

Villamizar highlighted that Venezuela’s sustained efforts to establish a foothold in the Chinese market began in 2013. The partnership gained significant traction in 2019 when a key health protocol was signed, officially greenlighting Venezuelan farmed shrimp exports to China. This protocol’s signing represented a milestone for Venezuela’s shrimp sector, formalizing a trade channel that Asoproco hopes to expand dramatically in the coming years.

Government Support and Broader Aquatic Exports

President Nicolás Maduro’s administration has provided broad support for the shrimp industry as part of a broader strategy to drive growth in the fisheries sector. In May 2024, Maduro noted that the Caribbean nation experienced a 2% increase in fisheries exports during the first four months of the year. The president voiced optimism about future growth, with special emphasis on partnerships with China as a mechanism for expanding seafood exports.

In addition to shrimp, Venezuela’s seafood export basket is both diverse and substantial, encompassing 31 species currently shipped to 24 different markets. Although Maduro refrained from detailing individual destinations or export volumes, his administration’s focus on China suggests a calculated pivot toward Asian markets, where demand for seafood continues to soar.