Contrary to the US, the shrimp import volume is seeing an upward trend in the EU. After a small 2% YoY drop in June, in July, with 45,833 MT, imports increased YoY by 12%. The year-total YoY increase amounts to 5%. July’s import volume is the highest recorded this year and the highest-ever import volume for the month itself.
In the first seven months of 2024, shrimp imports grew in the South (6%) and East (15%) of the EU. In the West, imports dropped by 4%. In 2024, the South of the EU remains by far the largest importer of shrimp, representing 64% of total imports, up from 62% in 2023. The West of the EU represented 33% in 2024, down from 36% in 2023. The East of the EU represents less than 2% of total EU imports.
South and Central America’s 2024 supplies to the EU grew by 10% YoY, while imports from Asia grew by 1%. In 2024, South and Central America’s share of EU imports increased from 54% to 58%. The share of Asian suppliers remained at 30%. Among smaller suppliers, imports from Africa and the Middle East dropped by 12%. Coldwater shrimp imports from North America (US and Canada) and other European countries (such as Norway and the UK) fell by 31% and 20% YoY, respectively.
