WASHINGTON: US shrimp imports in February fell below-year ago levels as prices continued to rise, according to latest figures from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The fall was driven by a steep monthly decline in US imports from India after a smaller fall in January. In February, the US imported 11,029 metric tons of shrimp from India, its largest supplier, 18.7% less than in January. In January, US imports of Indian shrimp were down 5.6% month-on-month, according to the NOAA data.
Imports from the other main shrimp supplying-countries to the US were also lower compared with January. Imports from Thailand, the third largest supplier, fell by 38.1% m-o-m to 4,002t, while imports from Indonesia and Vietnam fell 15.8% and 24.7% m-o-m respectively. Only imports from Ecuador and China, the US’ fourth and sixth largest suppliers, increased, up 7.1% and 21% respectively. Overall, total US shrimp imports in February decreased 18.1% m-o-m to 41,475t. Compared with February last year, US shrimp imports were down 7.3%. Despite the monthly decline, Indian shrimp producers can be content with big gains in the important US market over the past 12 months. In February, US imported 40% more shrimp from India compared with February 2016. US imports from Indonesia have also seen an increase year-on-year, albeit a small one — up 3% year-on-year. In contrast, the US is importing noticeably less from Thailand, Ecuador, Vietnam, and China – down 24%, 16%, 20% and 14% year-on-year respectively. In February, US importers paid an average $9.54 per kilo of shrimp, up 0.6% from $9.48 per kilo in January. Prices in February were 7.3% above prices during the same period last year.
