U.S. shrimp imports fall slightly in November

After tumbling 7.8 percent in October 2009, U.S. shrimp import fell a mere 0.2 percent in November 2009, to 117.4 million pounds, compared to the same month in 2008, according to figures released on Tuesday by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

However, through November, U.S. shrimp imports had surpassed the 1-billion-pound mark, at 1.1 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the same period in 2008. Through October, shrimp imports were down 3.3 percent from the same period in 2008, to 984.3 million pounds.

Among the top five suppliers to the U.S. market, Vietnam saw its shrimp exports to the United States drop considerably in November 2009, down 32 percent from November 2008.

However, China and Ecuador increased their shrimp exports to the United States considerably in November, up 18.4 percent and 19.9 percent, respectively, from November 2008.

Shrimp imports from Thailand, the No. 1 U.S. supplier, were up 9.5 percent in November, while shrimp imports from Indonesia — which is experiencing production difficulties due largely to a white spot virus outbreak — jumped 7.9 percent in November after diving 39.5 percent in October.

The Food and Agriculture Organization reported this week that demand for shrimp in the U.S. market is likely to remain stable until the economy rebounds.

Shrimp import figures for December and all of 2009 are due to be released by NMFS on 10 February.

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