April 4, 2023

Saudi Arabia suspends shrimp imports from India

Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary ban on shrimp imported from India.

The suspension resulted from the detection of the presence of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in frozen shrimp products imported from India, according to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), following testing of seafood products by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

WSSV is a contagious, lethal virus affecting penaeid shrimp. It is not a threat to food safety or human health.

The SFDA said the ban will remain in place until India is able to "provide sufficient guarantees to ensure the safety of those products exported to the Kingdom so that the WSSV does not transmit to the fisheries in Saudi Arabia," according to the Saudi Gazette.

- SeafoodSource