Ecuador's shrimp industry on alert as El Niño strengthens

Ecuador's vital shrimp export sector is bracing for the intensifying El Niño phenomenon, with the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) advising producers to prepare for potential impacts from strengthening weather patterns and heavy rains expected in late 2026.

The government has issued a yellow alert for El Niño, and officials are closely observing the Pacific Ocean. Intense rainfall associated with the event could trigger widespread flooding, landslides, and damage to critical infrastructure. The latest official bulletin on August 20 indicated that El Niño remains in its initial development phase.

For shrimp farms, warmer waters and heavy rainfall pose significant sanitary challenges. These conditions can stress aquatic environments, damage ponds, and test the integrity of protective walls, electrical systems, pumps, and access roads. The CNA recommends proactive measures, including enhanced pond monitoring, inspection of drainage and electrical systems, ensuring backup power, and verifying the condition of walls and gates to prepare for potential flooding.

The National Committee for Regional Study of the El Niño Phenomenon (CN-Erfen) forecasts that El Niño's effects will be most pronounced between November and December 2026. This period could overlap with the transition into the rainy season for Ecuador's coastal regions and the Galápagos Islands. Concerns are particularly high as approximately half of Ecuador's shrimp farming area, totaling between 100,000 and 110,000 hectares, is situated in zones susceptible to flooding, according to CNA President José Antonio Camposano.