Skretting, Hendrix Genetics and Ecuacultivos invested $25 million in a new shrimp genetics facility in Ayangue, Santa Elena province, Ecuador.

"The companies are working together to make more competitive the shrimp industry,” said Carlos Miranda, general manager of Skretting, during the first stone laying ceremony. The three companies partnered before to upgrade Macrobio hatchery to a state-of-the-art production facility.

“Investments like these are key to continue boosting the competitiveness of our production chain and for Ecuador to continue competing in the more than 60 markets to which we export,” said José Antonio Camposano, executive president of the National Chamber of Aquaculture.

The Ecuadorian shrimp industry is a fundamental pillar of the country's economy, constituting more than 20% of Ecuador's non-oil exports. In 2020, it generated $3,611,870,630 in foreign exchange. The investment is expected to generate 250 jobs for Ecuador, as indicated by the Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries, Iván Ontaneda.