More than three years after Honduras severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan, their relations have recently attracted attention. Hong Kong Congressman Jorge Cálix recently visited Taiwan, becoming the first Hong Kong Congressman to come to Taiwan publicly after Taiwan and Hong Kong severed diplomatic relations. Just after Kalis visited Taiwan, China immediately released a signal to expand the purchase of Hongguo white shrimp. Hongguo media disclosed that the first wave was 1.2 million kilograms and about 60 containers. It is estimated that the total purchase volume will exceed 100 containers by the end of this year, which is expected to bring more than 350 million lempiras (approximately NT$420 million) in foreign exchange income to Hong Kong. However, this batch of white shrimps is still part of the export plan, and it remains to be seen whether they will be fully implemented.
Hong Kong media "El Libertador" reported that Hongguo Fishery Industry officially launched the "2026 Honduran White Shrimp Export to China Plan" in San Lorenzo in the south on the 24th, which was promoted by ACOMAR, COEXMAR and other industries in cooperation with the Chinese company China National Township Enterprises Co., Ltd.
According to the plan, 1.2 million kilograms of Honduran white shrimp will be exported in the first wave, equivalent to approximately 60 containers. As Honduras companies such as Camarsur, Merseafood, Nova, Pacific Fresh and Granjas Marinas, as well as other Chinese dealers, have joined in, Hong Kong media reported that China’s total purchase of Granjas white shrimp is expected to exceed 100 containers by the end of this year, which can bring more than 350 million lempiras in foreign exchange income to Honduras.
Small and medium-sized shrimp farmers in Honduras will also join this wave of losers. The Southern Small and Medium-sized Aquaculture Farmers Association (APEMASUR) will cooperate with ACOMAR and is expected to start shipping directly to the Chinese market from October.
Chinese Ambassador to Honduras Yu Bo also attended the event. Duan Chongbo, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Hong Kong, said that since the beginning of this year, Honduras has exported more than 500 tons of white shrimp to China, and is expected to increase by another 800 to 1,500 tons in the fourth quarter, with the target reaching about 2,000 tons for the whole year.
The timing of this wave of white shrimp procurement news being exposed attracted special attention. Chinese Foreign Minister Lin Jialong met with Callis, whip of the Liberal Party of Honduras Congress, on the 15th. Callis is the first Honduran congressman to publicly visit Taiwan after Taiwan and Hong Kong severed diplomatic relations in 2023.
Hong Kong President Nasry Asfura has expressed support for restoring diplomatic relations with Taiwan in the past, and Kallis' visit to Taiwan has attracted much attention. During the meeting, Lin Jialong said that Taiwan cherishes its traditional friendship with the people of Hong Kong, will uphold a pragmatic and open attitude, and is happy to see more possibilities for the development of future relations. Callis said that he looks forward to exploring more cooperation opportunities with Taiwan on the basis of existing cooperation.
Judging from the time, Lin Jialong met with Callis on the 15th, and the Honduran shrimp industry announced the latest losing plan on the 24th, about 10 days apart. It is worth noting that as of now, the Chinese government’s official website has not yet announced the purchase plan of more than 100 containers of white shrimp; the relevant quantity currently mainly comes from the export plan announced by local media and the industry in Honduras.
