India holds off Ecuador to retain crown as top US shrimp supplier in 2022

India once again led the world in shrimp exports to the U.S. in 2022, but its lead over upstart Ecuador narrowed.

India shipped 303,574 metric tons (MT), or 669 million pounds, of shrimp to the U.S. in 2022, down from 2021, when it exported 340,892 MT, or 752 million pounds, to the U.S. India has been the top exporter of shrimp to the U.S. for the past nine years running.

Following India was Ecuador, which sent 199,813 MT, or 441 million pounds, of shrimp to the U.S. through 2022. Its total was up from the 183,833 MT, or 405 million pounds, it sent in 2021. 

Indonesia sent 166,954 MT or 368 million pounds of shrimp to the U.S. in 2022, up from 160,174 MT, or 353 million pounds, it sent in 2021. 

Rounding out the top 10 were: Vietnam in fourth place in total U.S. shrimp exports, sending 68,894 MT, or 152 million pounds; Thailand,  sending 36,811 MT, or 81 million pounds; Mexico in sixth, exporting 20,978 MT or 46 million pounds; Argentina in seventh, sending 16,367 MT, or 36.1 million pounds; China in eighth, shipping 5,355 MT, or 11.8 million pounds; Peru in ninth with 3,903 MT or 8.6 million pounds of U.S. exports; and Canada, sending 2,433 MT or 5.36 million pounds.

Overall, the United States imported 837,922 MT of shrimp in 2022, down from 894,222 MT in 2021, which was an all-time high. It imported 745,675 MT in 2020 and 698,358 MT in 2019. 

Photo courtesy of weera sreesam/Shutterstock