Shrimp are replacing oil as Ecuador's main source of foreign exchange revenue.

This transformation marks a historic turning point for the country, following decades of dominance by crude oil exports. The latest data from the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE) shows that the shrimp industry has taken an unprecedented leading role. Compared to 2024, shrimp exports have increased by 19.5% in value and 13.6% in volume in the first nine months of this year, while crude oil FOB revenues have declined by 20% and exports have decreased by 8.4%. The National Chamber of Aquaculture of Ecuador (CNA) has played a key role in the international promotion and commercial defense of Ecuadorian shrimp products, highlighting Ecuador's status as one of the world's largest shrimp exporters by volume. By the end of 2025, Ecuador's non-oil export growth rate is expected to approach 18%, with the goal of maintaining double-digit growth in 2026.