The United States imported 67,273 metric tons (MT), or 148.3 million pounds of shrimp in November 2020 – down 14.3 percent from the month prior but in line with the amount of shrimp the country received in November 2019.
The U.S. imported 149 million pounds (67,604 MT) of shrimp in November 2019 and 173.2 million pounds (78,567 MT) in October 2020, according to new NOAA data.
Compared to both of those months, India saw the biggest downswing in its exports to the U.S. India accounted for 52.7 million pounds (23,902 MT) of U.S. shrimp imports in November 2020, down from 67.3 million pounds (30,494 MT) in November 2019 and 66.5 million pounds (30,181 MT) in October 2020.
Ecuador also saw a significant month-over-month drop from 27.6 million pounds (12,534 MT) in October 19.6 million pounds (8,884 MT) in November. Ecuador has recorded a banner year for its U.S. exports, with its 2020 total through November up nearly 40 percent over the year prior.
Indonesia remained a top shrimp exporter to the U.S., sending 31 million pounds (14,037 MT) in November 2020, up from 27.6 million pounds in November 2019 but down from the 32.1 million pounds (14,570 MT) it sent in October.
Vietnam saw a 71 percent year-over-year increase in November, sending 15.6 million pounds (7,056 MT) in November versus 9.1 million pounds (4,126 MT) in November 2019. The Southeast Asian nation exported 16.7 million pounds (7,555 MT) of shrimp to the U.S. in October.
Thailand had a steady performance in November 2020, exporting 9.5 million pounds (4,303 MT) in total, up from 9.3 million pounds (4,211 MT) in October 2020 but down from 9.9 million pounds (4,504 MT) in November 2019.
Mexico sold 8.3 million pounds (3,783 MT) of shrimp to U.S. buyers in November 2020, down from 10.1 million pounds (4,577 MT) in October 2020 and from 11.2 million pounds (5,088 MT) in November 2019.
Argentina recorded another strong months, with 5.4 million pounds (2,448 MT) of shrimp exports to the U.S., up from 2.5 million pounds (1,111 MT) in November 2019 and 3.7 million pounds (1,697 MT) in October 2020.
A former shrimp exporting powerhouse, China’s exports fell below those of Peru and closer to those of Bangladesh, Honduras, and Saudi Arabia in the November 2020 totals. All recorded between 200 MT and 600 MT of shrimp exports to the U.S. in the month.
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