He predicts that Ecuadorian shrimp exports will remain flat in 2024, but is worried that high anti-dumping and countervailing duties in the United States will affect production.

Last year, Ecuador exported 1.21 million tons of shrimp, an increase of 14%. The United States is the second largest export market, with imports increasing by 5% last year.

In January this year, Ecuadorian shrimp exports fell by 6% and US imports increased by 4%.

Coglitore said that if the tax rate is too high, small factories and farmers will be hit and lose the important US market.

The US Department of Commerce is about to announce the tax rate, and Omarsa has suspended shipments and is waiting for news. He believes that the countervailing duty rate is controllable within 5%, but the anti-dumping accusation is ridiculous.

He is worried that too much taxation will affect the supply chain, resulting in limited production and price increases for American fishermen. Coglitore said Omarsa is not the biggest victim, and other companies have more serious problems and lack the opportunity to defend themselves in court.