U.S. shrimp imports fell slightly in July for the first time in five months, reaching 100.5 million pounds, just shy of July 2008’s total of 101.1 million pounds, according to figures released on Thursday by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
In the first seven months of 2009, shrimp imports were down only 0.8 percent from the same period last year, to 616.2 million pounds. Through the first half of this year, imports were down just 0.9 percent, at 515.9 million pounds.
Of the United States’ top five shrimp suppliers, only two countries exported more product in July compared to last July. Shrimp imports from Thailand increased 9.6 percent, to 36.1 million pounds, while imports from Vietnam jumped 38.6 percent, to 9.5 million pounds.
However, shrimp imports from Indonesia, Ecuador and China dropped 35.9 percent, 0.9 percent and 14 percent, respectively.
The five countries represented nearly three-quarters of total U.S. shrimp imports in 2008, which reached 1.24 billion pounds.
Shrimp imports usually grow in August, September and October, as U.S. buyers gear up for increased sales during the winter holiday season. Last year, imports came in at 125.8 million pounds in August, 126.1 million pounds in September and 144.3 million pounds in October.
