Diversificación de producción camaronera en la provincia de Guayas: un análisis de la rentabilidad

Abstract

This study was developed in response to the opportunity to strengthen the profitability of the shrimp sector in the province of Guayas, a strategic activity for the Ecuadorian economy that stimulates the labor market, generates foreign exchange, and promotes regional growth. Despite its importance, the predominance of a traditional production model has limited the sector's ability to cope with risks such as price fluctuations or environmental changes. In view of this, productive diversification is proposed to improve efficiency and competitiveness. The overall objective is to analyze how the diversification of shrimp production influences profitability, competitiveness, sales growth, and entry into new markets. The methodology adopted will be a mixed approach. Surveys will be conducted with producers and interviews with key stakeholders, covering data from the sector over the last five years. The results identified that shrimp farms with diversified models have greater operational flexibility, resource optimization, and adaptability to changes in the environment. In addition, improvements were observed in technical and economic variables, such as yield per hectare, cost efficiency, and market access. It is concluded that productive diversification is a determining factor in strengthening the profitability, competitiveness, and sustainability of the shrimp sector in Guayaquil, allowing it to face the challenges of a changing and demanding market more successfully.