The social protests that spread through Ecuador in the last two weeks of June 2022 caused an estimated USD 9 million (EUR 8.96 million) in losses to the country’s shrimp sector, Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) Executive President José Antonio Camposano told SeafoodSource.
The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities launched an indefinite national strike that virtually paralyzed economic activity in Ecuador beginning 13 June, after which the country suffered 18 straight days of social upheaval ignited by demonstrators protesting against higher gasoline and food prices, oil exploration and mining activity that they claimed had gone unchecked, and lack of health and education services. The protests at times turned violent and included road blockades, affecting supplies to the country’s north, which was one of the areas most-affected by the strike.
During the protests, dozens were injured and at least four people died. The protests ended once the government agreed to cut fuel prices and enact oil exploration as well as mining restrictions, while also negotiating a three-month window to respond to social demands.
During that period, collateral damage was recorded in the shrimp sector, Camposano said, including product being held up, lack of raw materials, extra costs to transport products via alternative routes, and the required purchase of supplies such as oxygen needed to preserve crustaceans for the duration of the protests.