Almost 17 million pounds (7,711 metric tons – MT) of shrimp were landed in the Gulf of Mexico in August, continuing the strong catch level seen throughout this year and contributing to the best accumulative eight-month catch in more than four years at 65.9 million pounds (29,892 MT).
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 upwards last month compared to August 2016, prices in the Western Gulf 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 August this year was USD 7.77 (EUR 6.58) in the Northern Gulf and USD 9.75 (EUR 8.25) in the Western Gulf. For 26/30 sizes, prices stood at USD 3.12 (EUR 2.64) per pound in the Northern Gulf and USD 5.05 (EUR 4.27) in the Western Gulf. For 41/50s, the prices were USD 2.01 (EUR 1.70) in the Northern Gulf and USD 3.18 (EUR 2.69) 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 765.1 million pounds (347,044 MT) of shrimp in the first seven months of this year – the highest level for five years. The main imported shrimp formats were peeled (438.2 million pounds – 198,764 MT), shell-on headless (267.8 million pounds – 121,472 MT) and breaded (57.1 million pounds – 25,900 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).
