Shrimp (Frozen)

Frozen shrimp is the world's most traded seafood commodity, sourced from both aquaculture (vannamei, monodon) and wild catch. Ecuador, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia are the top exporters. Shrimp is traded by count per pound (e.g., 16/20, 21/25) and form (HOSO, HLSO, PD, PUD).

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16/20 count HLSO21/25 count HLSO31/40 count PDHOSO (Head-on Shell-on)CIFCFRFOB
Quick Facts

Shrimp (Frozen) at a Glance

Common Origins
EcuadorIndiaVietnamIndonesiaThailand
Common Destinations
United StatesEuropean UnionJapanChinaSouth Korea
Grades & Specifications
16/20 count HLSO21/25 count HLSO31/40 count PDHOSO (Head-on Shell-on)
INCOTERMS
CIFCFRFOB
Unit of Measure
Metric Tons
Price Drivers

What Moves Shrimp (Frozen) Pricing

Frozen shrimp prices via published indices (Urner Barry US block, Mintec/AgriBriefing for EU). Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) dominates farmed production and trade. Disease outbreaks (EMS, white spot) cause 30-50% supply contractions periodically. Ecuadorian, Indian, and Vietnamese production cycles, plus US importer inventory levels, drive monthly pricing.

Contract Structure

How Shrimp (Frozen) Cargoes Are Priced and Settled

Trade in master cartons (typically 4 × 4 lb blocks or 10 × 1 kg blocks). Pricing per pound or per kg by count size (16/20, 21/25, 26/30, 31/40, 41/50, 51/60, 61/70). Letter of credit standard. Container shipments (40' reefer, ~25 tonnes net).

Quality & Disputes

Shrimp (Frozen) Specifications and Dispute Practice

Specs cover count uniformity, glaze percentage (max 10% for honest weight declaration), antibiotic residue (zero tolerance for nitrofurans, chloramphenicol), and microbiological standards. Disputes turn on antibiotic residue findings in destination-country testing, count uniformity, and black spot.

Trade Flows

Where Shrimp (Frozen) Comes From and Where It Goes

Top exporters: Ecuador (now largest by volume), India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, China. Top importers: US, China, EU, Japan. Ecuadorian-US trade volumes have grown structurally since 2018; Indian and Vietnamese exporters compete for EU and Japanese share.

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More in Food & Proteins

Chicken (Frozen Whole)

Frozen whole chicken is one of the most traded protein commodities globally, sourced primarily from Brazil and the US. Halal certification is essential for Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian markets. Birds are graded by weight class and processed under strict sanitary standards (SIF, USDA).

Beef (Frozen)

Frozen beef is traded globally as primal cuts, trimmings, and offals. Brazil, Australia, and India (buffalo meat) are the largest exporters. Beef grading varies by origin — USDA (US), AUS-MEAT (Australia), and ABIEC standards (Brazil). Traceability and BSE-free certification are critical for market access.

Fish Meal

Fish meal is a high-protein powder made from processed whole fish or fish trimmings, used as a premium ingredient in aquaculture and animal feed. Peru is the world's largest producer from anchovy catches. Protein content (typically 65-72%) and freshness (TVN levels) determine quality and pricing.

Milk Powder (SMP)

Skimmed Milk Powder (SMP) is produced by removing water and fat from pasteurized milk, yielding a shelf-stable protein ingredient with less than 1.5% fat. It is used in reconstituted milk, bakery products, confectionery, and infant formula. New Zealand's GDT auction is the key price discovery mechanism.

Milk Powder (WMP)

Whole Milk Powder (WMP) retains the full cream content of milk (26-42% fat), offering a rich flavor profile for reconstitution into liquid milk, chocolate manufacturing, and bakery applications. New Zealand is the dominant global exporter, with Fonterra's production decisions significantly influencing global pricing.

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