Shrimp FAQ

What kind of shrimp should I eat?

We encourage you to seek out local, wild shrimp. Shrimp from the coasts of Maine, North Carolina and the west coast, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, are the best choices. Unfortunately, nearly 90% of the shrimp that Americans eat is imported and most likely farm raised from countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Honduras. Furthermore, wild US shrimpers, especially from the Gulf of Mexico are struggling to keep afloat, due to the flood of cheap imported farm raised shrimp. In the US, new inland shrimp farms are popping up with the goal to be organic.

If you see U.S. farmed shrimp, that is a good alternative to imported shrimp.

Who are the top producers of farmed shrimp?

Brazil, China, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Who are the top importers of farmed shrimp?

United States, Japan, and the European Union.

What percentage of shrimp eaten in the U.S. is imported?

Nearly 90%!