In September, US Imports from Ecuador Drop YoY. Imports from Asia Increase.

The US’s July and August 2024 import numbers fell significantly behind those of 2023. With 71,136 MT the import volume increased by 1% year over year in September. With 198,649 MT, the Q3 2024 imports are still 7% behind those of 2023, and year-total US imports are now 4% behind 2023.

Let’s look at individual suppliers: 

• In September 2024, imports from Ecuador decreased by 17% yearly. However, imports from all major Asian suppliers increased year over year. Imports from India increased by 2%, imports from Indonesia by 14%, and imports from Vietnam by 21%.
• In Q3 2024, imports from Ecuador fell 21% behind 2023, imports from India fell 8%, and imports from Indonesia fell 4%. Imports from Vietnam, on the other hand, increased by 7%.
• Regarding year-to-date import volumes, Ecuador is 8% behind in 2023, India is 1% behind, and Indonesia is 12% behind. Vietnam, on the other hand, is 9% ahead.

If we look at the import trend from the perspective of the US’s main import product categories, we can draw the following conclusions:

1. Raw peeled (primarily raw PD and PDTO): This category grew by 15% year over year in September, 5% year over year in Q3, and 1% year over year to date. Year-to-date imports from India, Ecuador, and Vietnam increased by 3%, 2%, and 27%, respectively. Year-to-date imports from Indonesia dropped by 19%. In 2024, India dominates supply with a 57% market share.
2. Raw shell-on (primarily HLSO and HLSO EZP): This category dropped by 25% year over year in September, fell by 26% year over year in Q3, and year-to-date dropped by 12%. Year-to-date imports from Ecuador, Indonesia, India, and Vietnam dropped by 14%, 7%, 17% and 5% respectively. In 2024, Ecuador dominates supply with a 52% market share.
3. Cooked and marinated (primarily PD and PDTO): This category dropped by 1% year over year in September, fell by 13% year over year in Q3, and dropped by 9% year to date. Imports from India, Indonesia, and Vietnam dropped by 12%, 15%, and 11%, respectively. Imports from Ecuador increased by 21%. In 2024, India dominates supply with a 39% market share.
4. Breaded: this category grew by 13% year over year in September, by 1% year over year in Q3, and by 2% year-to-date. Imports from Indonesia, Vietnam, Ecuador, and India increased by 1%, 28%, and 204%, respectively. Imports from Ecuador dropped 17%. In 2024, Indonesia dominates supply with a 40% market share.