US shrimp imports down 50,000 MT in 2023 through April; FDA details 103 entry line refusals from May

India, Ecuador, and Indonesia continued to be the top three shrimp exporters to the United States in April 2023. 

India, which has held the top spot for the last nine years, exported 47 million pounds, or 21,451 metric tons (MT) of shrimp to the U.S. in April 2023, up from its April 2022 total of 44 million pounds (19,991 MT).

Ecuador shipped 29 million pounds (13,559 MT) of shrimp to the U.S. in the month, down from the 33 million pounds (15,300 MT) it sent in April 2022. 

Indonesia exported 27 million pounds (12,307 MT) of shrimp to the U.S., down from 37 million pounds (17,019 MT) in April 2022.

Of the remaining top 10 shrimp exporters to the U.S. in April 2023, Vietnam ranked fourth at 7.7 million pounds (3,501 MT), less than its April 2022 total of 12.9 million pounds (5,878 MT).  Mexico sent 3.1 million pounds (1,414 MT), ranking it fifth, though its total was down from April 2022, when it exported 4.4 million pounds (2,008 MT) of shrimp to the U.S.

Thailand ranked sixth at 2.8 million pounds (1,305 MT), down from 6.3 million pounds (2,879 MT) in April 2022. Argentina was seventh at 2.4 million pounds (1,124 MT), down fromits April 2022 total of 3.9 million pounds (1,773 MT). China was eighth, sending 78,000 pounds (354 MT), Peru shipped 45,000 pounds (208 MT), and Venezuela sent 30,000 pounds (140 MT), up from 22,000 pounds (101 MT) in April 2022. 

The United States imported a cumulative total of 123 million pounds (56,000 MT) in April 2023, down from 145 million pounds (66,600 MT) in April 2022. Through the first five months of 2023, the U.S. has imported more than 50,000 MT less shrimp year-over-year at 236,349 MT, down from 287,470 MT last year.

Higher shrimp prices are resulting in lower demand in the United States, but prices remain elevated as seafood firms work to clear out inventory.

On 5 June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released information on 103 seafood entry line refusals it conducted in May 2023, with an Indian and Chinese shrimp exporter named for sending shrimp containing antibiotic contaminants.

Milesh Marine Exports, based in Munipeda, India received an import alert for one shipment on 1 June containing nitrofurans and veterinary drug residues, recorded on 22 May. And Dalian, Liaoning, China-based Dalian Kowa Foods Co. had two entry lines refused for shrimp contaminated with veterinary drug residues and unsafe additives on 2 May, 2023.

The FDA announced 20 additional entry lines of shrimp from seven different shrimp exporters were refused due to salmonella or filth in May 2023. They are from Thailand-based Pantainorasingh Manufacturer Co.; India-based Royale Marine Impex, Accelerated Freeze Drying Company, and Edhayam Frozen Foods; Indonesia-based Bahari Makmur Sejati and Indokom Samudra Persada; and Sri Lanka-based Taprobane Seafood.

Photo courtesy of JBLynn Studio/Shutterstock