February 19, 2010

US shrimp imports fall slightly in 2009

US shrimp imports in 2009 fell 2.5% from the previous year to 1.21 billion pounds, according to statistics released by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Thailand, the top US shrimp supplier, increased its exports by 5.1%, to more than 424 million pounds.

However, imports of breaded shrimp from China decreased 4% to 44.8 million pounds last year. US imports of all Chinese shrimp products declined 8.4% to 97.1 million pounds.

Overall, US seafood imports fell by 1% in 2009, dropping from approximately 2.421 billion pounds in 2008 to 2.395 billion pounds. Imports represent nearly 85% of the US seafood supply.

Meanwhile, the US Department of Commerce earlier announced its fifth administrative review of the anti-dumping duty imposed on frozen warmwater shrimp imported from India, Brazil, China, Thailand and Vietnam.

This review will examine the details of import of shrimp to the US between February 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010. It is likely to be the final review of the duty, carried out parallel to five-year review (Sunset Review) announced in January. The Sunset Review will examine details of import of marine products to the US for five years beginning from 2004-05.