U.S. shrimp imports in 2010 were on track to exceed 2009’s total of 1.21 billion pounds, albeit slightly. Through October, they were up 0.4 percent to nearly 988 million pounds, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Last year was an up-and-down year for shrimp imports, which rebounded in October, topping 135 million pounds, up 1.6 percent from October 2009. Imports had increased in each of the last three months (June, July and August) until slipping in September. Prior to June, imports had dropped in 10 of the last 11 months.
(NFMS is scheduled to release U.S. shrimp imports for November on Thursday.)
Typically, shrimp imports peak in October, as buyers gear up for the hectic holiday-season demand, which carries over into January and February for occasions such as Chinese New Year and the Super Bowl.
This winter has so far been no different, as restaurant traffic rebounds from the economic downturn. The NPD Group is forecasting modest growth in restaurant traffic, up 1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011, which will bode well for shrimp sales.
One interesting trend is that the U.S. market is seeing more breaded product. Breaded shrimp imports have fluctuated since 2006, when they topped 108 million pounds. But through October they reached 75.5 million pounds and were well on their way to exceed 2009’s total of 81.5 million pounds.
Prices for raw, shell-on Pacific white shrimp finally leveled off in November and were trending downward by December after spiking in September and October. During the first week of January, prices were holding steady.
Asian-raised 16-20s were quoted in the mid- to high-USD 6 range, 21-25s were tagged in the mid- to high-USD 5 range, 26-30s in the mid- to high-USD 4 range, 31-35s in the high-USD 3 range, 36-40s in the mid- to high-USD 3 range and 41-50s in the low- to mid-USD 3 range.
