Shrimp Prices Rise Amidst Shortage

The cost of buying shrimp has increased lately as a result of a shortage in the market. This has caused quite a stir amongst consumers, as the prices of this seafood product have generally been on the decline in recent years.

Despite being widely available, shrimp is not a cheap food item by any means. In fact, it is considered to be one of the most expensive seafood items out there. So, when its price starts to go up, people take notice.

According to industry experts, the current shortage in shrimp is the result of several factors. Firstly, there has been an increase in demand for this seafood product from both China and the United States. At the same time, production levels have been dropping due to natural disasters and disease outbreaks.

This has created a situation where the available supply of shrimp is not enough to meet current demand. As a result, prices have started to rise steadily over the past few months.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like things are going to get better anytime soon. The production shortfall is expected to continue into 2019, which means that prices will likely keep increasing as well.

For those who enjoy eating shrimp, this news may not be very welcome. However, it is important to remember that price fluctuations are normal in any marketplace. So, while it may be inconvenient to pay more for our favourite seafood right now, things could always be worse.

California Shrimp Farmers Facing Ruin

The vast majority of shrimp consumed in the United States is imported, with much of it coming from Southeast Asia. But a recent Food and Drug Administration decision to tighten inspections of those shipments has American shrimpers fearing they could be put out of business.

The FDA says it's cracking down on shipments of raw shrimp because they often contain harmful bacteria, including salmonella and listeria. The new rules went into effect at the beginning of the year and require countries exporting raw shrimp to the United States to have a program in place to prevent contamination.

Those requirements are too expensive for many smaller shrimp farming operations in countries like Vietnam and Thailand, so they're likely to stop exporting to the United States. That will leave the American market to larger farms, most of which are located in Central America.

But even some of those larger farms may soon be forced out of business because of another new rule from the FDA. This one requires all imported shrimp to be frozen before being shipped to the United States. That will make it more expensive for consumers and is likely to lead to a decline in demand for seafood overall.

American shrimpers have been struggling for years as imports have taken over the market. Now they're facing ruin because of two new FDA regulations that are making it impossible for them to compete.

FDA Shrimp Safety Guidelines Spark Controversy

In late November, the FDA released its draft guidelines for the safe production and sale of shrimp. The guidelines, which are still in a draft form and have not yet been finalized, contain a number of recommendations for shrimp processors and retailers with the goal of minimizing the risk of foodborne illness.

The controversy around these guidelines has to do with two specific proposed measures. The first is a recommendation that all peeled and deveined shrimp be frozen before sale. This would require shrimp processors to change their current processing procedures, and it is unclear how costly this would be for them. The second measure that has sparked controversy is a proposed requirement that raw shrimp be treated with bactericidal iodine before sale. There is concern among some members of the seafood industry that this could lead to a decline in demand for raw shrimp.

The FDA has defended its proposed guidelines, noting that they are still in draft form and open to comments from the public. A spokesperson for the agency said that "the aim of the guidance is to reduce the burden of foodborne illness associated with consumption of raw or undercooked shrimp…All stakeholders, including industry, have an opportunity to provide input on the draft guidance during the comment period."

Seafood Suppliers Brace for Massive Shrimp Price Hike

GULF SHRIMP EXPORTS

The Gulf of Mexico supplies more than 90% of the domestic shrimp caught in the United States, making it one of the most important seafood producing regions in the world. The Gulf coast states – Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida – are home to a vast and complex seafood industry that provides employment and economic stability for coastal communities.

Gulf shrimp is a major export commodity. In 2016, the value of U.S. exports of Gulf shrimp totaled $523 million, making it the sixth-most valuable agricultural export from the region. Much of this shrimp is exported to Canada and Mexico, but significant quantities are also shipped to Europe and Asia.

IMPACT OF A SHRIMP PRICE HIKE

A 25% tariff on imported Mexican shrimp was announced by the Trump administration on January 25, 2018. If implemented, this tariff would significantly increase the cost of imported shrimp and could lead to a price hike for U.S. consumers. The tariff would also have a devastating impact on the Gulf seafood industry, which employs tens of thousands of people and supports hundreds of businesses along the coast.

Mexico is by far the largest supplier of shrimp to the United States, providing more than half of all imported shrimp. A tariff on Mexican shrimp would raise costs for U.S. consumers and businesses that rely on imported seafood products. It would also put thousands of U.S. jobs at risk and have a negative impact on local economies in coastal communities that depend on the seafood industry.

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) has urged President Trump to reconsider the proposed tariff on Mexican shrimp, warning that it could have "grave consequences" for America's seafood industry. NFI is urging the administration to work with Mexico to find a resolution that does not include tariffs or trade restrictions on seafood products.

Louisiana Shrimpers Hope for Better Season

The Gulf Coast is known for its fresh seafood, and Louisiana shrimpers are hoping for a good season this year. The state's shrimping industry took a big hit after the BP oil spill in 2010, but things are starting to look up.

There are about 300 active shrimpers in Louisiana, and most of them are based in the Houma-Thibodaux area. Shrimp is the state's second-largest seafood export, and it's a vital part of the local economy.

The shrimping season runs from May to September, and most of the catch is sold overseas. Prices have been increasing in recent years, thanks to growing demand from countries like China and Japan.

Shrimpers faced significant challenges after the BP oil spill. The disaster killed off a lot of marine life, including shrimp, and it took several years for the industry to recover.

Despite the challenges, many shrimpers are optimistic about the future. The catch has been increasing in recent years, and new markets are opening up all the time.

If things continue to improve, Louisiana could soon regain its place as one of the leading shrimp producers in the world.