Shrimp Farm Closures in Southern Honduras ​Spark economic concerns

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – The closure of numerous shrimp farms in ‌southern⁢ Honduras⁤ is raising concerns about the economic impact on⁣ the region.Ricardo Pacheco, director of the Technical Committee of the Association of Small ‌and Medium Aquaculturists of the South, reports that 91 productive farms‍ have ceased operations since the‌ beginning of 2024, resulting in‌ an estimated loss⁣ of‌ 7,000⁤ jobs.

Shrimp​ Industry Faces Crisis

pacheco described the situation as a “crisis” for ​the shrimp farming sector. He emphasized the‌ urgent need for⁢ government intervention to ‍prevent further economic damage.

Call for Updated Financing Agreements

Pacheco is urging representatives from the National‍ Bank for ​agricultural Development (Banadesa) to update⁤ existing agreements with aquaculture‍ businesses. he believes that ‌providing timely financial assistance ⁤is crucial to helping struggling farms stay afloat.

“As last year, we have⁤ requested access to the agreement and proposed financial solutions, but unfortunately, we ​have‍ not seen results,” ‍Pacheco said. He stressed the importance of⁤ government authorities addressing the crisis in the ​country’s shrimp sector.

Market Competition Aggravates Situation

Pacheco also noted that small and medium-sized producers are facing increased ‍challenges due to market competition.Historically, these farms primarily served the national ⁣market. However, they now compete with larger shrimp ⁣companies.

“The small ⁤and medium-sized aquaculturists are in a precarious situation as our ⁣market has been ‍the national market,” Pacheco​ explained. ⁤“Unfortunately, we have the⁤ problem that some of the large⁣ industries,​ which operate under a special regime, should not be selling their products locally, but they are⁣ doing it.”