© ASC
Agriminigold achieved ASC certification following a 16-month improvement journey that began with its participation in the ASC Improver Programme in March 2025. Following an independent audit by Bureau Veritas, the farm was awarded ASC certification on 29 July.
Operational efficiency and ecosystem restoration
Located in Estero Chivería in the province of El Oro, Agriminigold currently produces approximately 1.7 million pounds of shrimp annually across 118 hectares of production area.
In parallel, the shrimp farm has protected 126.63 hectares of existing mangrove forest and restored a further 18.12 hectares, expanding the total area of healthy coastal ecosystems to 144.75 hectares.
Women in aquaculture
Agriminigold’s journey towards ASC certification began with a focus on building knowledge, strengthening capabilities and improving its operations. In early 2025, Marea Rosa, Agriminigold’s women-led shrimp brand, participated in Hatch Blue’s Women in Ocean Food programme in La Paz, Baja California Sur.
Sponsored by ASC, the programme supports women leaders across the aquaculture sector. The programme was associated with an 18 percent increase in production, greater feed-use efficiency, the protection and restoration of mangroves, job creation and increased opportunities for women in leadership roles and shrimp production.
"This achievement demonstrates that the ASC Improver Programme is fulfilling its purpose: building local capacity and providing producers with a structured and credible pathway to achieve ASC certification through continuous improvement," said Patricia Bianchi, aquaculture improvement projects and governance manager at ASC, in a press release. "Agriminigold's successful transition from the Improver Programme to ASC certification in Ecuador provides tangible evidence that the programme works in practice. It highlights the value of establishing clear improvement objectives, implementing measurable changes and independently verifying progress."
Annabell Palacios, CEO of Agriminigold, said: "Our journey towards ASC certification began with a commitment to learn, improve and build a more responsible future for our farm.
Through the ASC Improver Programme and our participation in Hatch Blue's Women in Ocean Food programme with Marea Rosa, our purpose-driven shrimp project, we strengthened our knowledge, leadership and operational practices, creating a solid foundation for continuous improvement."
