U.S. shrimp imports continued to steadily increase in August after a consistent decline earlier in the year.
In August 2023, the U.S. imported a total of 73,429 metric tons (MT), or 161 million pounds, of shrimp – up from 71,388 MT (157 million pounds) imported in August 2022, and up from the 69,356 MT (152 million pounds) of shrimp imported in July 2023.
India exported 30,412 metric tons (67 million pounds) of shrimp to the U.S. in August 2023, up from August 2022, when it exported 28,568 MT (62 million pounds) and from July 2023 at 26,641 MT (58 million pounds). India has been the top exporter of shrimp to the U.S. for the past nine years.
Ecuador exported the second-highest volume of shrimp to the U.S. at 18,577 MT, or 40 million pounds, of shrimp to the U.S. in August 2023. Its monthly total was higher than the 16,752 MT, or 36 million pounds, it sent in August 2022, and slightly more than the 18,573 MT, or 40 million pounds exported in July 2023.
Indonesia exported 11,735 MT (25 million pounds) of shrimp to the U.S. in August 2023, down from August 2022, when it exported 12,135 MT (26 million pounds). The total was up from the 11,404 MT (25 million pounds) of shrimp Indonesia exported to the U.S. in July 2023.
The other top shrimp exporters to the U.S. in August 2023 were Vietnam, which sent 6,669 MT (14 million pounds), up from its total in August 2022 of 5,779 MT (12 million pounds), and more than the 6,767 MT (14 million pounds) Vietnam exported in July 2023. Thailand shipped 2,669 MT (5.8 million pounds), down from the 3,805 MT (8 million pounds) it exported in August 2022, and more than the 2,479 MT (5.4 million pounds) exported in July 2023.
Argentina was sixth, exporting 1,246 MT (2.7 million pounds) to the U.S., a boost from its total in August 2022 of 1,037 MT (2.2 million pounds). In July 2023, Argentina with more than 1,088 MT or 2.3 million pounds.
Mexico sent 735 MT (1.47 million pounds) of shrimp to the U.S., lower than its total in August 2022 of 1,280 MT (2.8 million pounds); and higher than its total in July 2023, when it sent 588 MT (1.2 million pounds).
Peru was in eighth, shipping 277 MT, or 610,680 pounds – lower than the 317 MT, or 698,865 pounds, in total exports sent in August 2022, but higher than the 145 MT, or 319,000 pounds, sent in July 2023.
Canada was in ninth with 209 MT or 460,000 pounds, sent to the U.S. – higher than its August 2022 total of 171 MT, or 376,990 million pounds, and lower than the 436 MT, or 952,000 million pounds, sent in July 2023.
China rounded the top 10, exporting 172 MT or 379,000 pounds, which was significantly less than the 592 MT, or 129,000 pounds it exported in August 2022 – much lower than the 380 MT,or 837,000 pounds sent in July 2023.
Photo courtesy of chinahbzyg/Shutterstock
