August 20, 2009
US shrimp imports volume, value up slightly
US imported 42,750 tonnes of shrimp in June worth US$292 million, representing a 5-percent increase in volume and 3.2-percent increase in value from the same period in 2008, according to data released by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
In the first half of this year, a total of 233,912 tonnes was imported into the country, 0.9 tonnes down from last year's first half. The value of its imports stood at US$1.60 billion, which represents a year-on-year decline of 3 percent.
In June, just two out of five main US shrimp suppliers - jointly representing 76 percent of the imported volume and 74.5 percent of value - increased their shipments.
Thailand kept its leading position as exporter, with shipments of 15,264 tonnes and US$103.1 million, 13.1-percent up in volume and 14-percent up in value, compared to June 2008.
Vietnam exported 3,348 tonnes worth US$31.8 million in value, which represents increases of 33.6 percent and 15.2 percent, respectively, than in June of last year.
Indonesia held second place as the leading shrimp exporter in June, even though its shipments were down 22.4 percent, to 5,679 tonnes. In terms of value, there was a 24.6-percent fall to US$41.3 million.
Ecuador exported 5,338 tonnes to the US market, and China 2,973 tonnes, these volumes represented declines of 16 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively. In terms of value, Ecuadorian exports contracted by 32.2 percent while those of China contracted by 28 percent to total US$27.9 million and US$14.4 million, respectively.
India, in spite of a lesser contribution, posted a strong increase of its shrimp sales compared to June 2008; it exported 1,149 tonnes, at US$9.7 million, that is, 100-percent more in volume and 87.4-percent more in value.
|
Top five shrimp exporters to the US in H1 (2008 and 2009): | ||||
|
　 |
Jan-June 2008 |
Jan-June 2009 | ||
|
Country |
tonnes |
million USD |
tonnes |
million USD |
|
|
70,655 |
478.3 |
72,002 |
506.6 |
|
|
43,207 |
318.6 |
40,130 |
279.6 |
|
|
31,843 |
189 |
33,248 |
179,4 |
|
|
23,359 |
112.2 |
17,175 |
87.1 |
|
|
15,034 |
170.5 |
14,105 |
138.8 |
During the first six months of 2009, Thailand sent 72,002 tonnes of shrimp to the US for US$506.6 million, 1.9-percent more in volume and 5.9-percent more in value, compared to the same period of 2008.
In second place was Indonesia, with 40,130 tonnes, at US$279.6, representing falls of 7.1 percent in volume and 12.2 percent in value.
Ecuador exported 4.4-percent more than in the first half of 2008, whereas, China and Vietnam posted decreases of 26.5 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively.
