More than 8 million pounds (3,629 metric tons – MT) of shrimp were landed in the Gulf of Mexico in July, continuing the strong catch level seen throughout this year and contributing to the best accumulative seven-month catch in more than four years at 49.2 million pounds (22,317 MT).
According to the latest data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, ex-vessel prices for all shrimp sizes trended upwards last month compared to July 2016 with a significant increase seen in the prices for small sizes throughout the Gulf.
The average ex-vessel price per pound of UN/15 sized headless shrimp in July this year was USD 8.45 (EUR 7.01) in the Eastern Gulf, USD 8.10 (EUR 6.72) in the Northern Gulf and USD 9.75 (EUR 8.08) in the Western Gulf. For 26/30 sizes, prices stood at USD 4.44 (EUR 3.68) per pound in the Eastern Gulf, USD 3.17 (EUR 2.63) in the Northern Gulf and USD 4.06 (EUR 3.37) in the Western Gulf. For 41/50s, the prices were USD 2.46 (EUR 2.04) in the Eastern Gulf, USD 2.08 (EUR 1.72) in the Northern Gulf and USD 2.38 (EUR 1.97) 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 for five years.
NOAA’s data also finds that the United States imported almost 630.6 million pounds (286,035 MT) of shrimp in the first six months of this year – the highest level for five years. The main imported shrimp formats in the six-month period were peeled (360 million pounds – 163,293 MT), shell-on headless (221 million pounds – 100,244 MT) and breaded (47.9 million pounds – 21,727 MT).
The per capita consumption of shrimp in the United States amounts to 4 pounds (1.8 kg), making it the country’s most popular seafood ahead of salmon with 2.879 pounds (1.3 kg) per capita and tuna with 2.2 pounds (1 kg).
