Almost 3.5 million pounds (1,588 metric tons – MT) of shrimp were landed in the Gulf of Mexico in March, repeating the harvest volume of the previous month and continuing the strong start to the year that began with landings in January of 3.2 million pounds (1,451 MT) of product.
According to the latest data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, ex-vessel prices for large count size shrimp remained roughly in line with where they have been each March going back to 2013, but the prices for medium and small count sizes increased significantly throughout the Gulf compared to March 2016.
The average ex-vessel price per pound of UN/15 sized headless shrimp in March this year was USD 8.95 (EUR 8.19) in the Eastern Gulf, USD 9.82 (EUR 8.98) in the Northern Gulf and USD 9.80 (EUR 8.97) in the Western Gulf. For 36/40 sizes, prices stood at USD 3.41 (EUR 3.12) in the Eastern Gulf, USD 2.74 (EUR 2.51) in the Northern Gulf and USD 3.59 (EUR 3.29) in the Western Gulf. And for 41/50s, the prices were USD 2.69 (EUR 2.46) in the Eastern Gulf, USD 2.30 (EUR 2.10) in the Northern Gulf and USD 3.11 (EUR 2.85) in the Western Gulf.
Gulf Coast fishermen landed 93.9 million pounds (42,592 MT) of shrimp last year, down from 106.9 million pounds (48,489 MT) in 2015 and the lowest level in the past five years.
NOAA’s data also finds that the United States imported more than 204.1 million pounds (92,578 MT) of shrimp in January and February (combined) this year – on par with last year’s strong start. The main imported shrimp formats in the two months were peeled (112.2 million pounds – 50,893 MT), shell-on headless (73.7 million pounds – 33,430 MT) and breaded (17.6 million pounds – 7,983 MT).
The per capita consumption of shrimp in the United States amounts to 4 pounds (1.8 kg), making it the country’s favorite seafood ahead of salmon with 2.879 pounds (1.3 kg) per capita and tuna with 2.2 pounds (1 kg).
