Production in the West
The American continent
FAO 2007 (2005 data)
Three countries have production totals over 55 000 tonnes; these are Mexico (with a large increase in 2005: + 25 %), Brazil (17 % decrease) and Ecuador (a few years ago this country produced almost all the shrimp farmed on the continent). Other countries show high variation from one year to the next: e.g. Honduras, where production stopped in 2005; and Cuba, where there was an increase of 250 %.
The markets
Three countries account for two thirds of shrimp production from the continent. A few years ago 80% of western shrimp production was done in Ecuador, but now Brazil has become the top producer.
Exportation is made to North America (USA.and Canada) and to Europe.