Mexico is currently the sixth destination of Honduran shrimp exports. (Photo: file)

Mexico reopens its market to Honduran shrimp

HONDURAS
Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 02:40 (GMT + 9)

Honduras will be able to restart shrimp exports to Mexico, after a year of having closed access to that market.

This was announced by the head of the Economic Development Secretariat, Arnaldo Castillo, who explained that the reopening of this market for Honduran shrimp represents between USD 42 and 48 million annually in foreign currency for the country.

► Total export of Honduran shrimp 2010-2017 

It should be recalled that the National Service of Health, Food Safety and Quality (SENASICA) of Mexico suspended the entry of Honduran shrimp on October 20, 2017, arguing that there was a presence of yellow head disease (YHB).

"We are very happy that we can reopen the Mexican market for Honduran shrimp," Castillo said. "This has been a great task of all the teams, both Economic Development through the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade, and SENASA and other entities, who jointly worked to make this important market as the Mexican reopened the doors to the Honduran shrimp."

The official emphasized that the reopening of the Mexican market for shrimp is also a challenge for Honduras, since at the end of the day the country has to comply with all the requirements that other countries have imposed.

"In the particular case of shrimp, we have great opportunities; this year and the past, one we have made considerable exports to the Asian market specifically to Taiwan and Korea," he said.

However, Castillo acknowledged that Honduras still has to face the challenge of making reviews of the National Health System.

"Although the entire part of the health system was revised due to the situation with Mexico, we must comply with the requirements that other countries request to open their markets to Honduran products," he explained.

He acknowledged that Honduras has the capacity to enter other markets and place other exportable products. However, he noted that it is important that there is a dynamism on the part of the private sector to be able to place their product in other market niches.

►Photo: ANDAH

The National Association of Aquaculture Farmers of Honduras (ANDAH) estimates that the losses accumulated by the blockade of the Mexican market have reached USD 70 million.

Shrimp exports generated USD 141.9 million through the end of August, USD 17 million less than in the same period of 2017. This fall is basically associated with the decline in demand from Mexico, the United Kingdom and Germany.

By the end of this year, the industry projects to exceed USD 272 million obtained last year.

Related article:

- Honduran Govt foresees early shrimp export resumption to Mexico

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