Shrimp Prices Rise in China but Suppliers Hesitate to Export to Oriental Market

Recently China has witnessed an obvious increase in shrimp prices. Statistics from the October point to an increase of about 3,000 yuan to 4,000 yuan per ton ($427.98-$57.64/ton USD) for its domestic shrimp, and local farmers are holding shrimps longer, waiting for higher prices. The increase is between USD $0.40 to $0.50 per kg for those imports from Ecuador, Vietnam and India.

Its price increase is mainly a result from shrimp shortages, which in turn is caused by several factors. Diseases, for example, ...

Study Shows NaturalShrimp's Cost-Effective, Sustainable Method to Grow Shrimp Works Well

The aquaculture company NaturalShrimp, Inc., said recently it retained the international firm Trane, a subsidiary of Ingersoll Rand, to do a complete study of NaturalShrimp's methods to provide healthy and accessible product that is cost-effective and sustainable.

"We are sharing the report with our investors and potential shareholders," NaturalShrimp Chief Technology Officer Tom Untermeyer said in a press release. "It is available at https://naturalshrimp.com/ingersoll-rand-trane-submits-naturalshrimp-technology-report/."

Some highlights of the report include...

The Winding Glass: Ecuador Cements Position as the Top Global Shrimp Producer, and Will Remain So

I had the opportunity to attend the National Chamber of Aquaculture’s AquaExpo in Guayaquil last week.  The expo has grown to become the most important International expo in Latin America.  That is not surprising, given that shrimp has now surpassed bananas as Ecuador’s primary export, worth $3.2 billion in 2018.

Last year, at Conxumar’s FAO conference in Vigo, I predicted Ecuador would emerge as the top Global shrimp supplier. In 2018, Ecuador exported about 500,000 tons of shrimp, compared to 596,000 tons exported...

NaturalShrimp, Inc., Performs Final Testing of Next Generation Electrocoagulation Units

NaturalShrimp, Inc. and F&T Water Solutions, LLC, the aquaculture companies that developed and patented the first commercially-operational RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) for shrimp, announced today the final testing of two additional next generation electrocoagulation (EC) systems for installation at its pilot plant in La Coste, Texas.

NaturalShrimp, Inc. witnessed successful final testing of the two new EC systems on October 17, 2019 at the IP Automation Inc. facilities located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition, NaturalShrimp has ordered three smaller EC systems to provide isolated filtration of the...

New Seasoned Shrimp Line Launched by Pacific Seafood

Portland, OR -- Getting dinner on the table in five minutes is a goal few of us can achieve, but Pacific Seafood’s new value-added line of frozen seasoned shrimp (BAP 2 Star certified) available in Scampi and Honey Jalapeño may be a game-changer.

While 86% of U.S. consumers report eating seafood, only 28 percent feel confident in cooking and preparing it. That triggered Pacific Seafood to offer an easy and versatile meal solution. It is as ideal for the freezer case as it is for many food service applications.

“Today’s consumers ...

China’s National Day Stimulates Sales of Some Seafood But Not All

This Chinese National Day has seen a bustling seafood market at home, and new-generation consumers seem more willing to pay for quality seafood or previously elite ones. This in turn has pushed upward prices of some seafood and brought greater sales, though there are a few that have seen contraction in both prices and sales.

According to statistics from Alibaba, turnover in its Hema stores has risen about 30% during the holiday. And all top 10 sales products were seafood items, while mantis shrimps, ...

Chinese Customs Uncovers Seafood Smuggling Case Worth 100 Million Yuan

According to Nanning customs of China, officials cracked down on three seafood smuggling gangs. The Sept. 24 announcement said customs, along with support from about 16 other agencies, had 14 suspects in custody and seized about 107 tons of seafood, such as cod, on the spot.

Further details reveal that these gangs started smuggling operations in 2018. They bought seafood such as cod, dried abalones and shrimps abroad according to orders from domestic buyers, and then ...

Drop in August Texas Shrimp Landings Means Another Low Harvest

Poor shrimp landings continue in the Gulf of Mexico through August.

Earlier this week, the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center Fishery Monitoring Branch released shrimp landings data from the Gulf of Mexico for August 2019. 

NMFS reported shrimp landings in the Gulf last month, 13.3 million pounds, were the third lowest reported for any August since 2002. Commercial shrimp landings last month were 24.7 percent below the prior seventeen-year historic average of 17.7 million pounds ...

Southern Shrimp Alliance Files Comments Supporting Chinese Shrimp Import Tariffs Increase

On Friday, the Southern Shrimp Alliance filed comments with the United States Trade Representative, expressing support for President Trump’s proposal to increase tariffs on certain Chinese imports, including Chinese shrimp imports, from 25 to 30 percent.

The administration has proposed a modification of Section 301 (19 U.S.C. § 2411) tariffs in response to actions taken by the Chinese government to maintain unfair acts, policies, and practices previously identified by the U.S. government as harming the American economy, the SSA said in a press release.

Imports of farmed seafood...

Chinese Market Welcomes Large Shrimp, but Small Shrimp Also Expected to Sell During Holidays

During late August, shrimp prices have begun to rise in South China. As available statistics show, depending on their sizes, the increase ranges between 0.5 yuan ($0.07 USD) to 2 yuan ($0.28 USD) per jin (1 jin=0.5 kg) compared with prices in mid-August in Zhuhai of Guangdong. And in Beihai of Guangxi, the increase is between 2 yuan ($0.28 USD) to 3 yuan ($0.42 USD) per jin.

In North China, prices...

Quarantine Lifted at NaturalShrimp’s Texas Facility

The Texas Park and Wildlife Department and U.S. Department of Agriculture/Animal Plant Health Inspection Services lifted the quarantine at NaturalShrimp Inc. at its facility in La Coste, Texas.

The quarantine was initially put in place to due to a detection of hematopoietic virus (IHHNV). After working with both USDA and TPWD NaturalShrimp was able to remove IHHNV from its facility.

“Although this virus was not caused by NaturalShrimp or our systems, we are happy to help with the eradication of this virus at our facility,” said Gerald Easterling, CEO...

FDA Refuses Antibiotic-Contaminated Shrimp from India and China in August

For August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported two out of the 72 (2.8%) total seafood entry line refusals were of shrimp for reasons related to banned antibiotics, the Southern Shrimp Alliance said in a press release.

Through the first two-thirds of the year, the FDA has refused a total of 52 entry lines of shrimp for reasons related to veterinary drug residues, compared to 53 during all of last year and 55 in all of 2017.

The two shrimp ...

Chia Tai Group Expands Shrimp Aquaculture and Develops New Sales Channels

Chia Tai Group aims to become the shrimp king in the global market, and it seems capable of achieving that thanks to its advantages in shrimp aquaculture and sales channels. For example, it has built Asia’s largest facility for breeding white shrimp seed in Hainan of China, and it has some other seed facilities in other Chinese provinces like Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Zhejiang.

Statistics show that net profit exceeds 50,000 yuan ($6,964 USD) per Mu...

Optimism Prevails in Vietnam for Seafood Exports, Despite Early 2019 Contraction

China has been one of the largest buyers of Vietnam’s seafood, but during the first half of this year, its imports from Vietnam declined by 2.3% compared with the same period last year. This reduction is said to result primarily from China’s higher standards regarding imported seafood, according to media sources.

It is widely agreed that China’s total seafood imports have been on the rise within recent years and it is very likely to continue to do so in the coming years. As statistics show, its seafood imports have...

Urner Barry Adding New Shrimp Items to Seafood Price Current

Urner Barry will be adding new shrimp items to the Seafood Price Current. Comtell subscribers will soon be able to access this expanded coverage, which includes 110-150 count and 100-200 count.

These new items come a week after Urner Barry announced the addition of frog legs, Chilean mussels and crawfish to their seafood market coverage.

For information on the new shrimp items you can reach out to market reporters Jim Kenny (jkenny@urnerbarry.com) or Gary Morrison (gmorrison@urnerbarry.com). For more information on...

NaturalShrimp Enters Agreement With Hydrenesis to Expand Into Growing Other Aquatic Species

Texas-based aquaculture company NaturalShrimp, and their majority-owned technology subsidiary, Natural Aquatic Systems, announced on Tuesday that they have entered into an agreement with Hydrenesis, Inc. on a new, patent-pending, anti-oxidant treatment.  The new treatment, called Hydrogas, would allow NaturalShrimp and Natural Aquatic Systems to expand their first commercially-viable system for growing aquatic species indoors. In addition to growing shrimp, the company would be able to grow other aquatic species, like barramundi, salmon and tilapia...

David Guas Crowned 2019 Wild American Shrimp Chef of the Year

David Guas, owner of the Bayou Bakery Coffee Bar & Eatery in Arlington, Virginia was named the Wild American Shrimp Chef of the Year.

Guas will now reign as the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA)’s “Admiral of Advocacy”. Guas will spearhead efforts to promote the benefits and quality of wild-caught U.S. shrimp.

Guas is a New Orleans native and has a strong reputation as both a chef and a TV personality. He is a regular “The Today Show,” “The Talk” and Food Network. He also received praise from top...

Restaurants Can Now Carry Healthier Famous Shrimp Burger with Big Shake's New Partnership

Known for some of the best fried chicken and famous shrimp burgers, Big Shake's Hot Chicken & Fish has entered into a new partnership with Performance Food Group. The partnership will help the restaurant expand, by giving other restaurants an opportunity to carry their famous shrimp burger. The partnership and growth is being fueled by their new and improved shrimp burger, which is currently available at several restaurant locations.

"We are excited to partner with Performance Food Group and look forward to bringing...

Rioting in Ecuador Hinders Shrimp Exports, Affecting Chinese Markets

Ecuador’s white shrimp industry has undergone a lot within the past few months. Earlier, shrimp from several main processing plants were temporarily banned from China, one of the largest importers, since it began strengthening its inspection procedures. Now, domestic riots in Ecuador hit the industry hard and have also taken a toll on its buyers, according to several media reports.

Although about 80% of the processing plants in Ecuador can continue operating as usual, most are filled with panic and they are challenged by problems with ...

AquaMaof Reveals Land-Based R&D Facility for Shrimp Production

Following years of research, AquaMaof Aquaculture Technologies is ready to debut its land-based shrimp farm in 2020.

The new facility marks the successful adaptation of its successful RAS technology for the commercial production of shrimp. AquaMaof said in a press release that the new facility provides high rates of survival and disease-free results.

“We decided to adapt our proven integrated RAS technology for the indoor production of shrimp,” David Hazut, CEO of AquaMaof said. “Moving production indoors in a closed containment environment, has enabled..."

Dive Into Shrimp Fisheries in Southeast Alaska

Four varieties of shrimp are taken at various times throughout the year by those with permits, with recent catches topping a million and a half pounds, worth nearly $3 million at the docks.

“We have 19 different areas around Southeast and each has its own appropriate harvest level for sustainability.”

Dave Harris is area manager with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Juneau.

In fact, shrimp trawling is Southeast’s longest ongoing fishery since 1915.

Beam trawlers target tiny northern, or pink, shrimp...

VIDEO: North Sea Cod Loses MSC Cert.; Shrimp Tariffs Support; Salmon Hits D.C. and More

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video hosts Lorin Castiglione and Ryan Doyle as they discuss North Sea Cod losing its MSC Certification; the Southern Shrimp Alliance supporting tariffs on shrimp imports; salmon hitting the nation's capital and the latest analysis of the pangasius and tilapia markets.

This episode was brought to you by Maine Lobster. The rocky coast of Maine is home to one of the most iconic and sustainable fisheries in the worlds. With 5,600 independent lobstermen from multi-generational families, the Maine Lobster industry...

Vietnam Hopes to Count on More Exports to China, but Uncertainties Loom

As statistics show, Vietnam’s seafood exports has reached about $833 million USD in August alone while $5.52 billion this year through August. The country has become the largest seafood exporter in Southeast Asia and the fifth largest one worldwide. Shrimps and tra are its main exports, and those exports constitute around 62% of the country’s total.

About 57% of Vietnam’s exported seafood was sold to four foreign markets from January to July of this ...

West Coast Cable Removal Could Open New Fishing Grounds

An old trans-Pacific cable system from Oregon to China is scheduled to be removed this month, which is good news for trawlers. Not only will removal open up new fishing grounds, but it will reduce the risk of a trawl net snagging a cable on the ocean floor.

The China-US (CHUS) system cables off Whisky Run, just south of Cape Arago near Coos Bay, Ore., are scheduled to be recovered Mertech Marine, a global cable submarine telecommunication cable recycling company based in South Africa...

Wild American Shrimp Calls for 2019 Chef of the Year Nominations

The American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA) marketing program, Wild American Shrimp, is calling for nominations for the 2019 Chef of the Year award.

Out of 38 advocates who represent the program, one “Admiral of Advocacy” will be named in 2019.

Nominees of the award must meet certain criteria including: displaying how they promoted Wild America Shrimp through social media, television appearances, and other avenues; philanthropic and sustainability efforts; have restaurants that feature multiple shrimp dishes; and one or more culinary excellence awards...

Tyson Ventures Announces in New Wave Foods 

Tyson Ventures, a corporate venture subsidiary of Tyson Foods announced its investment in New Wave Foods.

New Wave Foods is a San Francisco based company that produces plant-based shellfish. The company plans to release a shrimp alternative to the foodservice sector by 2020.

“We’re excited about this investment in the fast-growing segment of the plant-based protein market,” said Amy Tu, president of Tyson Ventures. “This continues our focus of identifying and investing in companies with disruptive products and breakthrough technologies related to our core business so we can continue to..."

Red Lobster Announces Endless Shrimp Lineup

Endless Shrimp is back at Red Lobster. For only $15.99 guests can eat as much shrimp as they can handle with Red Lobster’s new shrimp dishes.

The Endless Shrimp deal begins as guests pick a pair of shrimp dishes, and when those are done, they will be able to order another until their hunger is satisfied. Each meal will be accompanied by a salad, side and everyone’s favorite Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

The lineup for Endless Shrimp includes...

NMFS, SSA Report Poor Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Landings in July

Shrimp landings in the Gulf of Mexico have been some of the worst in recent history, according to the Fishery Monitoring Branch of the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center and the Southern Shrimp Alliance.

NMFS reported shrimp landings in the Gulf for July were only 7 million pounds, well below the 7.9 million pounds in July 2018 and the 8 million pounds in July 2017. The July commercial shrimp landings were 37.8 percent below the prior 17-year historic average...

Department of Commerce Releases Final Results of Antidumping Duty Review on Shrimp from Vietnam

In April the Department of Commerce published in the Federal Register the preliminary results of the 13th administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain warmwater shrimp from Vietnam. The Department of Commerce has since released the final results of the antidumping administrative review, and determined that sales by Fimex VN and Nha Trang Seaproduct Company were "not made below normal value" during the period of review from February 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018.

Following the announcement of the final result...

China’s Shrimp Imports Expected To Rise And So Are The Prices

Imported seafood has become increasingly popular in the Chinese market. Last year China's import value was said to have increased by US$3.62 billion to reach US$11.91 billion, while volume increased to about 7.6 million tons. Imports are estimated to exceed 10 million tons in 2020.

Shrimp are among the most widely received foreign seafood in this oriental country. As customs statistics show, in 2018 China’s shrimp import on paper ballooned from the previous 48,300 tons to 161,800 tons...