Early mortality syndrome (EMS)is leading to the increasing prices and tightening supplies and causing concern worldwide.
Early mortality syndrome (EMS) continues to be the number one concern among shrimp producers in numerous countries, even surpassing production and feed costs. At the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s annual conference, which took place in Paris at the beginning of the month, specialists discussed the situation, which is leading to increasing prices and tightening supplies and is causing concern worldwide. It seems that no immediate solution can be expected to eliminate the problem quickly although the cause of the disease has now been clearly identified.
Vannamei prices continue to increase this month and new records have been set. The decline in production and supply from Asian countries and Mexico, as a consequence of EMS, has increased demand for products from Latin America and India. The USA has purchased more shrimp from Ecuador.
Mexico, Central America and Asia, which are traditionally shrimp exporters, are presently looking for products in America and in India not only to cover domestic demand but also to meet commitments with their customers. In Europe high prices are discouraging consumers and imports continue to decrease, particularly in Spain.
The vannamei shortage also affects other shrimp product prices. The strong Asian demand pushes all shrimp prices up including those of Argentine red shrimp, which is used as a substitute for vannamei.
In addition, there is a fear that the shortage will affect end-of-year promotions and therefore many customers have brought forward their sales in order to ensure supply during this traditionally high consumption period. There is also concern about the increase of import tariffs by the European Union scheduled from January 2014 with an increase from 4.2% to 12%.