March 15, 2024

 

US imported nearly 60,000 metric tonnes of shrimp in January

 

The United States imported a total of 59,442 metric tonnes of shrimp, or 131 million pounds in January 2024, down from the 68,734 metric tonnes, or 151 million pounds, sent in January 2023. 

 

The amount continued a decline that started in 2023, when the US imported 1.7 billion pounds (785,837 metric tonnes) of shrimp, down around 114 million pounds, or 52,000 metric tonnes, from its 2022 total.

 

India, which has been the top exporter of shrimp to the US for the past 10 years, sent 20,055 metric tonnes, or 44 million pounds, of shrimp to the country in January, less than the 24,497 metric tonnes, or 54 million pounds, that India sent in January 2023.

 

Ecuador exported 17,648 metric tonnes, or 38 million pounds,  of shrimp to the US in January 2024, down from 18,718 metric tonnes, or 41 million pounds, of shrimp.

 

Indonesia sent 11,387 metric tonnes, or 25 million pounds, of shrimp to the US in January 2024. This total is lower than the 14,158 metric tonnes, or 31 million pounds, of shrimp sent in January 2023.

 

The remaining top 10 shrimp exporters to the US in January 2024 include Vietnam in fourth place, which shipped 3,627 metric tonnes, or 7.9 million pounds, of shrimp. The total is lower than the 3,846 metric tonnes, or 8.5 million pounds, exported from the nation to the US in January 2023.

 

Mexico was in fifth place, exporting 1,916 metric tonnes, or 4.2 million pounds, which is higher than last year's January total of 1,776 metric tonnes, or 3.9 million pounds. Thailand was in sixth place, sending 1,851 metric tonnes, or four million pounds, down from 2,447 metric tonnes, or 5.4 million pounds in January 2023.

 

Argentina was in seventh place with 1,159 metric tonnes, or 2.5 million pounds, higher than the 1,092 metric tonnes, or 2.4 million pounds it sent in January 2023.

 

China, in the eighth place, shipped 474 metric tonnes, or one million pounds, which is lower than the 622 metric tonnes, or 1.3 million pounds, it sent in January 2023.

 

Canada, in the ninth spot, exported 149 metric tonnes, or 328,488 pounds, lower than the 173 metric tonnes, or 381,399 pounds it exported to its southern neighbor in January 2023.

 

Guyana rounded out the top 10, sending 146 metric tonnes, or 321,874 pounds, which marks a significant jump from its total from January 2023 of 48 metric tonnes, or 105,821 pounds.

 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on March 4 that 16 seafood entry lines to the US have been refused in 2024. Four of those lines involved shrimp from Thailand, India, Vietnam and Japan and were refused due to contamination from banned antibiotics.

- SeafoodSource