United States shrimp import numbers for July indicate that imports have finally caught up to, and surpassed, the same period of in 2018.
The U.S. imported 361,026 metric tons (MT) of shrimp between January and July, 0.8 percent ahead of the 358,322 MT imported over the same period in 2018. Of those imports, India represents nearly 40 percent of all imports to the U.S. in 2019, with roughly 140,963 MT of shrimp imported from the country in 2019, an increase of 13 percent.
July was another big month for India the country imported 25,309 MT of shrimp to the U.S., 8.3 percent more than it did in July 2018. So far, the country is on pace to surpass the record it set in 2018.
Ecuador, as well, continued to exceed its 2018 numbers. The country sent 7,818 MT of shrimp to the U.S. in July, an increase of 32.6 percent over the same period in 2018 when it sent 5,894 MT. For the year, the country is up 12.9 percent, with 48,427 MT of shrimp sent to the U.S. so far.
Vietnam, which in prior months was behind its 2018 pace, has reversed that course with a significant increase in July. The country sent 46.3 percent more shrimp (6,522 MT) to the U.S. in July, making its year to date total 27,524 MT, or 6 percent more than the same period in 2018.
The largest increase over last July’s totals goes to Argentina, which sent 69.9 percent more shrimp to the U.S. in July 2019 than it did in July 2018. The country sent 1,284 MT of shrimp to the U.S. in July, significantly higher than the 756 MT it sent last year. For the year, the country has increased its exports to the U.S. by 20 percent.
Mexico, as well, continues to have a significant year. The country sent 895 MT of shrimp to the U.S. in July, an increase of 43.9 percent over the 622 MT sent in July 2018. For the year, it has sent 38.3 percent more shrimp to the U.S., or 11,646 MT. If the increases continue, Mexico is set to exceed China as a shrimp source for the U.S., as it stands the country is just 0.1 percent behind.
Indonesia has gained more ground on its 2018 numbers, sending 2.2 percent more shrimp (9,550 MT) in July 2019 than in 2018. For the year, the country is still lagging behind 2018 slightly, with a 5.1 percent decrease in year-to-date exports to the U.S.
Almost all the top countries posted better numbers than in 2018, barring three exceptions.
China – which formerly was sixth in terms of shrimp sent to the U.S. – has continued to see its numbers drop, likely due to the ongoing trade war between the two countries. It sent 2,311 MT of shrimp to the U.S. in July, 46.2 percent less than it did in 2018. For the year, China’s imports to the U.S. are down 51.4 percent, and the country represents just 3.3. percent of the total shrimp imports to the U.S. in 2019.
Thailand, as well, saw a very minor decrease in its exports to the U.S. The country sent 0.4 percent less shrimp (3,288 MT) to the U.S., just 13 MT less than it did in 2018. For the year, Thailand is 14.8 percent behind its 2018 totals.
The largest decrease for the month once again belonged to Honduras. The country saw a 58.2 percent decrease in its exports to the U.S., sending just 369 MT – the least of the top 10 countries. For the year, the country is 42.4 percent behind, sending just 2,566 MT in 2019.
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