Shrimp processing plant. (Photo: Andahn.org)
HONDURASThursday, April 09, 2015, 03:40 (GMT + 9)
The value of shrimp exports totalled USD 9.8 million in January, a figure which shows a decrease of 7.5 per cent compared to the same month last year, when USD 10.6 million was obtained.
A report by the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH) indicates that this decline was due "to the decrease of 6.8 per cent in price and 1 per cent in volume."
The decline in shrimp prices in the international market is generating concern among producers and exporters of Honduras, La Prensa reported.
According to Victor Wilson, president of the National Aquaculture Association of Honduras (ANDAH), the falling price per pound was on average USD 1.50, in 40/41 tail presentation.
In January 2014, the price per pound of presentation 40/41 was USD 5.32; in February it increased to USD 5.40 and in March it fell USD 5.36.
So far this year, fluctuations in the price of Honduran shrimp have been worse: in January the international price was USD 3.85 per pound; in February and March it fell up to USD 3.78.
At present, the main markets for the Honduran shrimp are the United States, Mexico and the UK, although the report from BCH does not detail figures related to the amount sent to each country.
Last year, shrimp exports generated a total of USD 252 million in revenues, 9.1 per cent more than in 2013 (USD 230.9 million).
Honduras shrimp industry generates about 30,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs.