Sinaloa shrimp industry faces competition and production challenges

The shrimp fishing sector in Sinaloa, Mexico, is facing significant economic challenges as the 2026-2027 season approaches. Industry leaders highlight that competition from Ecuadorian shrimp remains a major issue due to the significantly lower production costs in Ecuador compared to Mexican producers.

Álvaro Franco Castro, president of the Confederación Nacional de Cooperativas Pesqueras, stated that border closures alone will not solve the crisis. He emphasized the need for government intervention to improve domestic production conditions and reduce costs. Additionally, fishermen have reported that shrimp sizes in Sinaloa's bays have not reached commercial standards for several years, impacting marketability.

Regarding the upcoming season, Fernando Medrano Freeman of Canainpesca noted that shrimp size and market price will be the decisive factors for the deep-sea fleet. There is a strategic push to delay fishing starts to ensure larger commercial sizes, which could improve profitability for both industrial and coastal fleets.