More than 5.3 million pounds (2,404 metric tons – MT) of shrimp were landed in the Gulf of Mexico in April, continuing the strong start to the year that began with landings in January of 3.2 million pounds (1,451 MT) of product and then 3.5 million pounds (1,588 MT) in February and March.
According to the latest data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, ex-vessel prices for large and medium sized shrimp remained roughly in line with where they have been each April going back to 2013, but the prices for small sizes increased significantly throughout the Gulf compared to April 2016.
The average ex-vessel price per pound of UN/15 sized headless shrimp in April this year was USD 8.49 (EUR 7.55) in the Eastern Gulf, USD 9.32 (EUR 8.28) in the Northern Gulf and USD 9.37 (EUR 8.33) in the Western Gulf. For 26/30 sizes, prices stood at USD 4.50 (EUR 4) in both the Eastern Gulf and Western Gulf, and USD 3.52 (EUR 3.13) in the Northern Gulf. For 41/50s, the prices were USD 2.36 (EUR 2.10) in the Eastern Gulf, USD 2.17 (EUR 1.93) in the Northern Gulf and USD 2.55 (EUR 2.27) in the Western Gulf.
Gulf Coast fishermen landed 93.9 million pounds (42,592 MT) of shrimp last year, down from 106.9 million pounds (48,489 MT) in 2015 and the lowest level in the past five years.
NOAA’s data also finds that the United States imported more than 294.1 million pounds (133,402 MT) of shrimp in the first-quarter of this year – on par with the previous two years. The main imported shrimp formats in the three-month period were peeled (163.7 million pounds – 74,253 MT), shell-on headless (106.5 million pounds – 48,308 MT) and breaded (23 million pounds – 10,433 MT).
The per capita consumption of shrimp in the United States amounts to 4 pounds (1.8 kg), making it the country’s favorite seafood ahead of salmon with 2.879 pounds (1.3 kg) per capita and tuna with 2.2 pounds (1 kg).
