China recently lifted the import ban on nine white shrimp processing plants in Ecuador, including well-known producers Santa Priscila, Omarsa and Songa.

Previously, these factories were suspended from importing because of sodium bisulfite levels in their products. With the lifting of the ban, these factories will resume exporting shrimp products to China, said Jose Antonio Camposano, executive director of the Ecuadorian Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA).

Other producers whose bans have been lifted include Exportquilsa, Procamaronex, Expalsa and Promarisco.Exportquilsa's CEO said the lifting of the ban had little impact on the company at this time. In the first four months of 2024, Ecuador's shrimp exports to China fell nearly 19 percent to 444 million pounds.

While Camposano did not specify whether the drop in exports was directly related to the sodium bisulfite issue, he said in April that Ecuador's global shrimp exports had rebounded after a three-month slump, largely in response to market signals.

In February, Ecuador's shrimp industry tightened inspection standards after a batch of exported shrimp products was found to have excessive sodium bisulfite residue. The problem came to light from domestic counterfeiter Wang Hai, who accused two unnamed Ecuadorian brands of concealing and overusing sodium bisulfite, leading to heightened inspections at the Chinese port of Tianjin, causing delays and additional costs.

Sodium bisulfite is widely recognized for its ability to maintain the freshness and quality of food products, particularly in frozen shrimp products, where the preservative inhibits microbial growth and prevents discoloration, thereby ensuring product integrity during storage and transportation.

In 2023, Ecuadorian shrimp producers set a new export record, exporting 2.68 billion pounds, a 14.5% increase over the previous 12 months. Nonetheless, global shrimp production is expected to remain flat in 2024 at about 3.9 million tons, and the market's oversupply problem is likely to continue.

China's lifting of the import ban on nine Ecuadorian shrimp processing plants is a major positive for the Ecuadorian shrimp industry. With exports resuming, the market outlook is favorable. However, the industry still needs to address market volatility and regulatory requirements to ensure product quality and sustainability.