China Returns 1,600 Tons of Ecuadorian Shrimp Over Quarantine Violations

China, the largest buyer of Ecuadorian white shrimp, has rejected more than 1,600 tons of the product in the first four months of 2026 due to quarantine issues. This has led to a significant crisis for Ecuador's shrimp industry.

The reasons for the rejections are varied, including the detection of animal diseases, failure to provide required certificates, and non-compliance with food safety regulations such as excessive sodium metabisulfite and cadmium levels. In April alone, China's General Administration of Customs reported 58 batches of shrimp being returned, totaling 673 tons, from various countries including Ecuador, India, and Vietnam.

Ecuadorian shrimp have faced repeated rejections. In April, 485 tons were returned, following 310 tons in January, 268 tons in February, and 540 tons in March. The cumulative total for the first four months reached 1,603 tons. The situation worsened in May, with reports of over 100 containers being held at Tianjin Port due to excessive sodium metabisulfite. Importers face a 10,000 yuan inspection fee per container, and the affected shipments involve 12 Ecuadorian factories, representing a substantial portion of the country's export processing capacity.