The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has agreed to purchase USD 16 million (EUR 14 million) worth of Oregon pink shrimp, after federal lawmakers begged the agency to help the struggling fishery.
“As a coastal state with major ports, we move billions of dollars’ worth of seafood across the globe. The Oregon shrimp fleet is made up of independent family fishermen who are oftentimes multi-generational members of their local coastal communities,” Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said in a statement. “USDA’s investment in our state will help our local economies grow and families make ends meet.”
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported a 2024 harvest of 49.4 million pounds of shrimp with an ex-vessel value of USD 26.6 million (EUR 23.4 million), a 12 percent larger harvest than the 44.1 million pounds of shrimp landed in 2023 with a value of USD 18.2 million (EUR 16 million).
According to Oregon officials, the particularly prolific pink shrimp harvest last year was impacted by the cancellation of multiple major orders, creating a crisis for the fishery.
The situation has been heightened by U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war, with the European Union implementing a 25 percent retaliatory tariff on a wide swath of U.S. goods – including coldwater shrimp. Those tariffs are currently paused, but Oregon’s Congressional delegation maintains that the uncertainty led multiple European shrimp buyers to cancel their orders. That, along with a 20 percent tariff on imports of U.S. Pacific pink shrimp into the United Kingdom, has made it difficult for shrimpers to sell their harvest.
With too many shrimp and not enough buyers, the Oregon Congressional delegation sent a letter to USDA in early May asking the government to make a Section 32 purchase of the state’s pink shrimp catch. Under Section 32, USDA can buy surplus food for distribution through schools, food banks, and other government nutrition programs.
“As the USDA continues its work to develop a national seafood strategy that provides economic opportunity to rural communities, promotes production that better nourishes Americans, and secures a robust domestic food supply, we urge USDA to extend support and relief at the earliest opportunity,” the federal lawmakers said in their joint letter.
On 22 May, Kotek announced that USDA had indeed agreed to make a Section 32 purchase, with plans to buy up to USD 16 million (EUR 14 million) worth of Oregon pink shrimp. The news was welcomed by both government officials and industry representatives.
“I was glad to lead our delegation’s work to secure federal support for our state’s seafood industry and the jobs this long-established industry generates up and down the Oregon Coast,” U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) said. “This commitment will help essential small businesses along the Oregon Coast stay afloat and weather the damage from Donald Trump’s destructive and needless tariffs.”
“This purchase will provide a critical lifeline to Oregon's fishing communities during this time of market uncertainty and will allow us to produce locally sourced, sustainably harvested, highly nutritious protein for American families in need. It's a win-win all the way around,” West Coast Seafood Processors Association Executive Director Lori Steele said in a statement.
