USITC Finds Imported Shrimp Harmful to U.S. Industry, Duties Imposed

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) determined that the U.S. shrimp industry was “materially injured” by imported shrimp that was sold at less than fair value or gained an advantage via subsidies.

The USITC affirmed the Department of Commerce (Commerce)’s determination that frozen warmwater shrimp from Indonesia was sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. It also affirmed Commerce's findings that imports of shrimp from Ecuador, India, and Vietnam were subsidized by the respective governments.

This decision paves the way for the Department of Commerce to issue...

Shrimp’s Health Benefits Spotlighted in New Guide for Nutrition Experts

The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) debuted the Shrimp Nutritional Guide earlier this week.

The new resource, developed alongside the Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP), aims to help dietitians better understand shrimp's health benefits, debunk myths about the food, and highlight the various ways to cook shrimp.

The launch event took place on November 13 and was attended by more than 120 participants, including nutritionists, chefs, industry entrepreneurs, and other notable figures from the culinary field, per a press release from the SSP...

A Look at the Top 10 Most Consumed Seafood Items in 2022

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) debuted its annual Top 10 List of the most consumed seafood in 2022. NFI’s list comes shortly after NOAA Fisheries unveiled its Fisheries of the U.S. 2022 Report, which saw Americans consume roughly 19.7 pounds of seafood, a slight downturn from the 20.5 pounds seen in 2021.

Shrimp topped the Top 10 List once again despite a minor decrease in consumption. Salmon finished in second place, and it also witnessed a slight drop in consumption. In third place was canned tuna, which saw...

Southern Shrimp Alliance, Corporate Accountability Lab Seek FTC Probe of BAP Certification Program

The Corporate Accountability Lab (CAL) and the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) filed a petition requesting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA)’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) program.

The two groups are attempting to halt the use of the BAP program, alleging that it uses “false or deceptive advertising practices.”

The jointly filed petition cites findings from CAL’s three-year investigation into the Indian shrimp industry, which found forced labor practices and environmental damage linked to BAP-certified facilities...

Duty-Free Exports to China Spark Optimism for Bangladesh’s Shrimp Sector

According to a report from Seafood Network Bangladesh, the Bangladesh seafood industry, specifically its black tiger shrimp exporters, hopes to reap the benefits of the country’s upcoming zero tariff status with China.

Back in September, China decided to grant zero tariff treatment for all of Bangladesh’s exports to China, per an announcement from China’s Embassy in Bangladesh. The new tariff status will go into effect on December 1, 2024, and the Bangladesh shrimp industry is excited to have improved access to one of the world’s top markets for...

Testing Finds Another Shrimp Festival Selling Imported Product as Wild-Caught Gulf Shrimp

After headlines swirled earlier this month about imported shrimp being sold at the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival instead of local wild-caught shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico, another festival in the Gulf region has followed suit, according to testing results from SEAD (Seafood Development) Consulting.

SEAD said that at the 51^st Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, genetic testing found that out of the five shrimp dishes sampled at the festival, only one contained authentic Gulf wild-caught shrimp...

CNA Urges Government Action as Ecuador's Shrimp Exports Risk Massive Loss Amid Energy Crisis

The National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA), a group representing Ecuador’s shrimp sector, warned again last week that the planned power outages within the country could result in a monthly loss of $75 million in shrimp exports.

The group pushed for “improved transparency regarding the energy crisis in order to understand its real scope and to be able to work on solutions that do not disproportionately affect the productive sector, on which 9 out of 10 jobs in the country depend...

Ecuador’s Aquaculture Chamber Warns That Power Outages Put Shrimp Production, Exports at Risk

Ecuador’s shrimp farming sector warned that the industry could be severely affected by the government’s lack of communication amid planned electrical outages across the country.

The National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) said that “serious problems” could occur within the shrimp industry if the electrical outages are not communicated properly. For one, shrimp feed manufacturers need ample time to turn on their equipment.

Shrimp packing plants also need to plan to receive the product in time to classify, process, package, and place it in containers for export...

The Retail Rundown: Going All-Out for Autumn

Fall is just around the corner, with the official start of autumn this Sunday, September 22. As cooler weather sets in and travel plans wind down, grocers are ramping up their offerings of seasonal favorites to align with the change in consumer preferences. 

According to the Expana Retail Activity Index, seafood continues to lead for the fourth week in a row, making up 30% of total protein ads. Beef and pork are close behind, each at around 25%, while chicken accounts for 14%. Eggs represent 2.8% of retail opportunities, and turkey has 2.3%...

Indonesian NGOs Accuse Retailers of Perpetuating Forced Labor in Shrimp Sector

A report from a trio of Indonesia-based non-profit organizations found that labor and human rights violations occurred within Indonesia’s shrimp sector.

The NGOs claim that the violations are linked directly to supermarket pricing in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Europe. The groups, Agitaka Centre for Social Analysis, Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), and Migunani Research Institute, allege that because retailers pay less for shrimp than it costs to farm, they then raise prices for consumers, eliminating potential price recovery...

Shrimp from Thailand Removed from Labor Department’s Forced Labor List

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it had removed shrimp from Thailand from the list of prohibited products linked to forced labor, according to a September 5 notice published in the Federal Register.  

The official list, "Prohibition of Acquisition of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor” (E.O. List), was updated after the DOL said it had received proper information from multiple sources that indicated the use of forced labor had dwindled significantly. 

“This information indicates that while children...

Gulf Shrimpers Warn New Offshore Wind Interest off Texas, Louisiana Could Harm Industry

An unsolicited proposal from Hecate Energy Gulf Wind for two commercial leases for wind energy development off the coast of Texas and/or Louisiana has raised significant new concerns for the U.S. shrimp industry, the Southern Shrimp Alliance said in a statement.

The Hecate proposal, which may potentially support hydrogen production, has the potential to close fishing grounds, interrupt maritime radar, and harm sensitive species and habitats for which shrimpers are held accountable under federal statutes, according to the SSA. Last week, the Alliance filed ...

Revised Schedule Released For Frozen Shrimp Investigation Into Ecuador, India, Indonesia and Vietnam

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a notice in the Federal Register on Wednesday announcing a revised schedule for the subject investigations into frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

This past May, ITC established a schedule for the conduct of the final phase of the subject investigations. The Commission explained that, “subsequently, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a memorandum tolling certain statutory and regulatory deadlines by a total of seven days.

“The Commission, therefore, is revising its schedule to...

ANALYSIS: EU and UK Shrimp Imports Pick Up in Spring 2024

We have recently observed a positive trend in the European shrimp market after a seasonal dip in imports in February and March.

According to the latest data from Global Trade Tracker, EU and UK imports of shrimp from tier regions reached 53,847 MT in May 2024, a 5.5% progression since April, which was 10.6% up since March. All in all, from January to May 2024, EU and UK shrimp imports grew by 4.1% year over year.

However, May volumes are down 3.9% compared with...

ANALYSIS: June U.S. Shrimp Imports Expected to Decline

Expana’s Lead Analyst Angel Rubio forecasts June 2024 shrimp imports to come in at 122 million pounds, which would be a little over 10 percent below the 136.278 million pounds in June 2023.

This would bring the H1 total to 776.1 million pounds, down 2.3 percent from 794.601 million pounds in the first six months of last year.

Importers have been working on leaner inventories as the cost of capital and storage has increased and in country supplies have been good to meet current needs. However, challenges in...

Second Fishery Outside of Alaska, Gulf of Mexico Shrimp, Gains RFM Certification

Fifteen years of hard work has paid off for U.S. Gulf of Mexico shrimp fisheries. As of earlier this month, white, brown and pink shrimp in all five Gulf states and federal waters achieved Responsible Fisheries Management certification.

Collectively, it's the first shrimp fishery certified to the RFM standard, according to the Certified Seafood Collaborative.

RFM Certification requires fisheries meet RFM Standard criteria that evaluate fisheries in four key areas: A) the fisheries management system; B) science and stock assessment activities and the precautionary...

Onda Partners with Brazilian Facility for Shrimp Research

Onda, an aquaculture research organization, announced the opening of a satellite location in Brazil to expand its work into the whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) sector.

“This expansion of services will be conducted in collaboration with an aquaculture facility in Brazil, marking a pivotal step in advancing sustainable shrimp farming research globally,” Onda shared in a press release.

Onda said its push into the shrimp sector through its external partner comes from a market push to provide trials and testing for whiteleg shrimp. Onda said the trials...

Prime Shrimp’s Value-Added Products Hits Whole Foods Shelves

Following a handful of product line expansions throughout 2024, value-added shrimp brand Prime Shrimp will now be on the shelves in select Whole Foods Market stores across the U.S. through four of its flavors—Signature, Lemon & Cracked Pepper, Garlic Herb Butter, and New Orleans-Style BBQ.

The products will be available in over 200 Whole Foods stores in the Northeast, North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South, and Southwest.

“Expanding Prime Shrimp’s availability in the U.S. by launching with Whole Foods Market marks the achievement of a long-held aspiration for our... 

DOC Rescinds Antidumping Review on Chinese Shrimp Imports

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) rescinded the administrative review of the antidumping duty (AD) order on certain frozen warmwater shrimp from China for the period of review from February 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024, according to a notice published in the Federal Register.

In 2005, the DOC published an AD order on shrimp from China. This sparked the DOC to initiate an administrative review with respect to Chinese shrimp imports in April 2024. The following month, the DOC notified all interested parties of its intent to rescind the...

Bumble Bee Seafoods Expands Product Line with 11 New Convenient Seafood Options

Bumble Bee Seafoods added 11 new products to its canned, pouched and kit-based seafood product lines.

"Everything we create is driven by what consumers value most: nutrition, flavor, and convenience that fits into real life," said Jeremy Zavoral, Senior Director of Innovation & Insights, Bumble Bee Seafoods. "Our goal is to make it easier than ever for people to enjoy seafood in ways that are both practical and delicious."

Find a breakdown of all the new items below...

DOC Issues Final Antidumping, CVD Rates for Shrimp Imports from Ecuador, Indonesia, India, Vietnam

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced its final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador and Indonesia and the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam

The International Trade Administration (ITA) provided a case calendar. With the final determination for the AD/CVD investigations wrapped up, the International Trade Commission is set to issue its final determination on December 5, 2024. An issuance of orders will occur the following week...

Russia Steadily Increasing Shrimp Imports as Domestic Stocks Dip

Russia is steadily increasing imports of shrimp, mostly farm-raised product, as domestic stocks have substantially declined in recent years.

Currently, most wild shrimp in Russia are caught in the Far East. While aquaculture shrimp are much cheaper, they are not grown in the Russian Federation and are imported from abroad. In recent years, the market has faced a massive influx of such shrimp.

In general, prices for Russian shrimps (a significant part of which accounts for Far Eastern humpback shrimps) are 2.5 to 3 times higher than those of imported...

Ecuador’s CNA Partners with Sustainable Shrimp Partnership for SustainED Event

The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) organized the SustainED event, where over 120 individuals came together for an educational program aimed at promoting the sustainable development of Ecuador’s crucial shrimp industry. 

The SSP and CNA believe the SustainED has created a continuous training program that will strengthen the capacities for Ecuador’s shrimp industry while ensuring sustainable development. 

The first day of the event, hosted in Guayaquil, focused on the responsible use of sodium metabisulfite, ensuring the quality of the shrimp and access to international...

Seafood on Full Display During Outback Steakhouse’s Great Barrier Eats Promo

Outback Steakhouse announced its entrance into the value-menu arena that is occurring throughout the restaurant industry with its Great Barrier Eats limited-time menu.

The seafood-centric menu was inspired by the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world and an Australian landmark. It showcases the chain’s shrimp and scallops.

The new menu features:

- Twin Reefs Shrimp: Dive into deliciousness with crispy breaded shrimp paired with buttery garlic shrimp scampi and a side. Starts at just $14.99...

Department of Labor Adds Shrimp from India to 2024 List of Goods Produced by Forced Labor

The Department of Labor (DOL) added shrimp produced in India to its 2024 “List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor.”

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) maintains a list of goods and their source countries that it believes are produced via child labor or forced labor under standards set in the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2005.

The ILAB said that the List is used mostly to boost public awareness and to promote efforts to combat...

Ecuador Shrimp on Display to Top Customer at World Seafood Shanghai 

Ecuador’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) has a significant presence at World Seafood Shanghai, a key seafood fair in China. The fair takes place from August 28 through August 30. 

CNA led the charge with the industry presence as the group has represented the industry for over three decades. According to the CNA, Ecuador’s shrimp sector was represented with a pavilion that features 17 exporting companies : Aquagold, Ceaexport, Cofimar, Empagran, Expalsa, Exportquilsa, Expotuna, Frigolandia, Limbomar, Nirsa, Omarsa, Procamaronex, Proexpo, Promarisco, Santa Priscila, Songa and Total Seafood...

UK Grocer Tesco Updates Farmed Decapod Crustacean Welfare Policy

UK grocer Tesco has updated its farmed decapod crustacean welfare policy — a welfare commitment that is being praised by nonprofit group Mercy For Animals.

Tesco’s policy was updated with the goal to provide transparency across supply chains and drive improvements. As part of the policy, all of the grocer’s farmed products must come from farms that comply with a recognized assurance scheme, such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Global GAP or BAP. The grocer said that they are also committed to reducing antibiotic usage and publicly reporting the...

ANALYSIS: U.S. Shrimp Imports Drop Sharply in June

In data released Tuesday, U.S. shrimp imports fell sharply in June compared to last year with broad losses in nearly all our top trade partners. Imports for the month fell 14 percent to 117.241 million pounds, from 136.278 million pounds last year. The impact of negative y-o-y data was seen in all the top five: India (-14.8%), Ecuador (-20.2%), Indonesia (-8.9%), Vietnam (-8.5%), and Thailand (-14.0%).

There were also losses from Argentina (-6.6%) and Mexico (-45.8%). The only gainer in...

Prime Shrimp Expands Value-Added Shrimp Product Line Into Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon

Prime Shrimp began 2024 by expanding its product line with a new Soy Ginger offering. Now, a little more than halfway through the year, the value-added shrimp brand is expanding its retail footprint.

Based out of New Orleans, Prime Shrimp offers a wide line of boil-in-bag frozen shrimp and sauce products. Offerings are already available across the East Coast. But now, retail accessibility is growing in the Pacific Northwest thanks to a partnership with...

Colombian Agricultural Institute Suspends Raw Shrimp Imports From Ecuador

Due to fears of white spot syndrome, Colombia’s Agricultural Institute (ICA) announced late last week that it has decided to suspend import permits for raw shrimp and other crustaceans, “as well as risky products and by-products from Ecuador.”

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is considered highly contagious — as well as deadly for shrimp. ICA reports that its surveillance and control work on shipments from Ecuador have resulted in the “recurring” detection of the presence of WSSV. In an effort to keep Colombia free of WSSV, ICA said...