ATUNA News announced in a post on X that European Union (EU) retailers, brands, and traders procured 25% of their canned tuna demand from Ecuadorian processors in 2024.
According to Stat Ledger, in 2023, Ecuador exported approximately 229,580 tonnes of tuna products valued at around $1.19 billion. This positioned the country as one of the top tuna-exporting nations globally, second only to Thailand. Ecuador benefits from direct access to the Eastern Pacific Ocean with highly productive skipjack fishing grounds that support one of the world’s most efficient and vertically integrated tuna sectors. The nation's processing facilities handle over 500,000 tonnes of tuna annually, enabling it to meet consistent demand from major markets including the EU and the United States.
The Federal Newswire reports that NIRSA (Negocios Industriales Real S.A.) operates the largest Ecuadorian tuna fleet under a national flag and processes up to 300 metric tons of seafood daily at its main complex in Posorja. It is responsible for exporting tuna to over 32 countries and plays a key role in Ecuador’s dominance in EU markets, handling more than half of the country's total tuna output. The company is also a founding member of TUNACONS, a sustainable fishing initiative, and holds Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, which helps ensure that Ecuadorian tuna meets international environmental and traceability standards.
Despite being one of the largest and most sustainability-focused seafood exporters in Latin America, NIRSA remains sidelined from the U.S. market due to Biden-era visa revocations targeting its executives, according to American Greatness. The decision was made without formal charges or public explanation and has blocked NIRSA leaders from engaging with U.S. buyers even as the company supplies thousands of metric tons of tuna and shrimp to American ports annually.
ImportInfo states that between June 2023 and April 2025, NIRSA completed 224 seafood shipments to the U.S., with 116 occurring in the past year. Key U.S. partners include Global Trade Bridge Corp., Seafood Exchange of Florida Inc., and Pacific Breeze Seafood Inc., which supply major grocery and foodservice channels nationwide. This steady export activity underscores NIRSA’s growing presence in the American seafood market.
ATUNA.com is recognized as a leading website dedicated exclusively to tuna industry news, providing daily updates and insights into various aspects such as fishing, processing, trade, prices, sustainability, and health-related topics.
