Situación financiera del sector camaronero ecuatoriano en el contexto de la crisis energética

Abstract

This research analyzes the behavior of the shrimp farming sector in the province of Guayas in the context of the energy crisis of the last four years. To analyze the impact of the energy crisis on the financial situation of the shrimp farming sector in the province of Guayas, a quantitative, non-experimental study was conducted. For this study, the financial statements from 2021 to 2024 of the 10 largest shrimp farming companies in the province of Guayas were analyzed, in contrast to the energy crisis in Ecuador, showing that between the years 2021 to 2024, after going from a shrimp production cost per pound of $ 1.59, raising the cost per pound to $ 2.43, and, added to a progressive decrease in the average selling price per pound, from $ 2.74 in 2021 to $ 2.27 for 2024, it has transformed a profit of more than $ 2.1 billion in 2021 into estimated losses of more than $ 427 million for 2024. Likewise, current liquidity for some companies in this sector showed volatile fluctuations, which prevents them from meeting their short-term obligations, concluding that at least 70% of the companies studied identify an increase in operating costs due to the energy crisis and dependence on fossil fuels are driving up these costs, impacting the sector's financial sustainability.