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Argentine Shrimp Industry in Crisis: Business Leaders Urge Urgent Dialogue to Save the Fishery

ARGENTINA
Wednesday, April 09, 2025, 03:00 (GMT + 9)

The deepening crisis affecting Argentina's shrimp fishing industry continues, as key figures in the business sector insist on the need for dialogue and structural reforms to prevent the collapse of one of the country's crucial productive activities.

Two Voices, One Shared Concern

Revista Puerto recently published an interview with Buenaventura Lafuente Matos, the outgoing president of Estrella Patagónica S.A., who analyzed the complex panorama currently facing the fishing industry. According to the businessman, more than a hundred freezer trawlers for shrimp are idle in port, despite the fishery being open.

"The fleet is completely paralyzed like never before, because the costs don't add up. It's a very, very difficult time," expressed Lafuente, with over 30 years of experience in the sector. "If it's not the worst moment, it's one of the worst we've ever experienced," he added.

Among the main problems identified, he pointed to the high labor costs, which in some cases represent up to 60% of a vessel's total operating expenses, making it unviable to go to sea.

Outdated Reference Values

One of the key points of the conflict, according to Lafuente, are the reference values for production, set in 2005, in a context of much higher international prices. Today, with the price of shrimp halved, these references are inadequate and distort the economic equation for companies.

"You can't keep using the same method from twenty years ago. It's necessary to update the reference values if we want to keep this activity alive," warned the businessman.

"Denying the Crisis is Denying Reality"

Along the same lines, the media outlet Parte de Pesca interviewed Pedro Mateo Gordillo, CEO of the Arbumasa Pesca Austral Group, who supported the diagnosis of his colleagues and warned that all eight of his company's freezer trawlers remain in port.

"Until there is a reconfiguration of the business among all parties, it will be difficult to go fishing again," he stated.

"Gordillo stressed that the crisis is not new, and has already resulted in losses for most companies for two consecutive seasons. "We cannot face a third season under the same conditions," he affirmed, calling for a willingness to engage in dialogue and to recognize the seriousness of the situation.

A Call for Consensus

For the first time in years, there is total consensus among companies grouped in chambers and independent companies: it is no longer possible to operate at a loss. The sector urgently demands realistic negotiation tables, a review of operating costs, and an update of productive reference values.

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