The US imported 66,843 metric tons of shrimp in August 2018, 8% more than the 61,918t imported in August 2017, according to the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This after year-on-year declines in May (-7%), June (-8%) and July (-8%).
The overall value of shrimp imports was still way down, however. The US spent $552 million, or $8.24 per kilo, in August 2018, compared to the $610.5m, or $9.85 per kilo, spent during the same period in 2017.
The price per kilo has been sliding steadily for some time. Note the average prices paid for shrimp in April ($9.45/kilo), May ($8.95/kilo), June ($8.79/kilo) and July ($8.45/kilo) based on the NOAA data.
India sent the US 25,888t of shrimp, 39% of the shrimp the US imported during the month and 13% more than the 22,845t it sent the US in August 2017.
Overall, India remains ahead of its 2017 clip, too. In the first eight months of 2018, India sent the US 150,841t, 17% more than at the same point in 2017.
Meanwhile, the detection of shrimp haemocyte iridescent virus (SHIV), a new kind of virus, at very low levels in China and Thai land, is expected to push shrimp exports from other countries, including India, Ecuador and Indonesia.
On the bright side, the rupee has depreciated against the US dollar, which could lead to more US imports.
Disc: Avanti is significant part of pf.