Cargill has opened a new shrimp feed plant in Guayaquil, Ecuador. With this plant, Cargill will be producing 165,000 tons per year, around 20 percent of the 800,000 tons of feed that the Ecuadorian market currently demands.

“The plant we are opening today offers the most leading-edge technology currently available for the production of shrimp feed,” said Ángel Gómez, General Director Cargill Aqua Nutrition for Latin America North. “This helps Cargill deliver on its promise of guaranteeing the best production and service to our customers.”

Cargill’s investment of approximately $65 million creates 150 new jobs and enables the creation of 500 related positions – boosting the local economy and bringing nutrition technology and services to the shrimp industry.

The Vice President of Ecuador, Mrs. María Alejandra Vicuña, attended the inauguration ceremony, formally kicking off production of two lines of feed: one under the Purina brand and the other under Aquaxcel.

“Cargill’s investment in Ecuador also allows us to help the country and its people thrive through the production of goods and services,” added  Gómez. “Today we are showing our commitment to supporting the development of Ecuador’s shrimp industry by maximizing the country’s export potential.”