More than 10.9 million pounds (4,944 metric tons – MT) of shrimp were landed in the Gulf of Mexico in June, continuing the strong start to the year and contributing to the best accumulative six-month catch in more than five years at 41.2 million pounds (18,688 MT).
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 June going back to 2013, but the prices for small sizes increased significantly throughout the Gulf compared to June 2016.
The average ex-vessel price per pound of UN/15 sized headless shrimp in June this year was USD 8.18 (EUR 7.02) in the Eastern Gulf, USD 8.85 (EUR 7.59) in the Northern Gulf and USD 9.68 (EUR 8.30) in the Western Gulf. For 26/30 sizes, prices stood at USD 4.08 (EUR 3.50) per pound in the Eastern Gulf, USD 3.55 (EUR 3.05) in the Northern Gulf and USD 4.32 (EUR 3.71) in the Western Gulf. For 41/50s, the prices were USD 2.43 (EUR 2.08) in the Eastern Gulf, USD 2.25 (EUR 1.93) in the Northern Gulf and USD 2.89 (EUR 2.48) 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 more than 512.9 million pounds (232,648 MT) of shrimp in the first five months of this year – the highest level for five years. The main imported shrimp formats in the five-month period were peeled (292 million pounds – 132,499 MT), shell-on headless (180.8 million pounds – 82,010 MT) and breaded (38.6 million pounds – 17,509 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).
