Less than 7.2 million pounds (3,266 metric tons – MT) of shrimp were landed in the Gulf of Mexico last month, almost 4 million pounds (1,814 MT) less than in the corresponding month of 2016 and the lowest September catch recorded in more than five years.
Last month’s landings contributed to an accumulative nine-month catch of 73.1 million pounds (33,158 MT), which was up on the 67.3 million pounds (30,527 MT) recorded at the same stage of last year, but short of the totals achieved in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
According to the latest data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, ex-vessel prices for all shrimp sizes in the Western Gulf trended downwards last month compared to September 2016, prices for larger sizes in the Northern Gulf also decreased, and there was insufficient dealers’ reporting in the Eastern Gulf.
The average ex-vessel price per pound of UN/15 sized headless shrimp in September this year was USD 7.78 (EUR 6.69) in the Northern Gulf and USD 8.70 (EUR 7.48) in the Western Gulf. For 26/30 sizes, prices stood at USD 3.85 (EUR 3.31) per pound in the Northern Gulf and USD 2.97 (EUR 2.55) in the Western Gulf. For 41/50s, the prices were USD 1.99 (EUR 1.71) in the Northern Gulf and USD 1.77 (EUR 1.52) 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 901.5 million pounds (408,914 MT) of shrimp in the first eight months of this year – the highest level for five years. The main imported shrimp formats during this period were peeled (517 million pounds – 234,507 MT), shell-on headless (315.7 million pounds – 143,199 MT) and breaded (66.5 million pounds – 30,164 MT).
The per capita consumption of shrimp in the United States currently stands at 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).
