Shrimp Prices Diverge Globally: Steady in Ecuador and India, Rising in China and Indonesia

Global Shrimp Price Dynamics: Stable Prices in Ecuador and India, Increases in China and Indonesia

In the 20th week of 2024 (May 13-19), according to data from UCN, the farm-gate prices of white shrimp in Ecuador and India, the two major shrimp-producing regions, remained stable. However, shrimp prices in China and Indonesia have risen.

Ecuador, the world's largest shrimp producer, maintained its average factory prices for head-on, shell-on (HOSO) shrimp in the 20th week:

• 20/30: $4.00/kg
• 30/40: $3.60/kg
• 40/50: $3.30/kg
• 50/60: $3.15/kg
• 60/70: $2.75/kg
• 70/80: $2.30/kg
• 80/100: $1.90/kg

Although the first quarter saw depressed prices leading to lower production, April's output unexpectedly increased. Nevertheless, industry insiders still expect Ecuador's shrimp production to decline this year.

India, the largest shrimp supplier to the U.S., maintained stable prices across all major shrimp sizes in the 20th week:

• 40: INR 340/kg ($4.07/kg)
• 50: INR 300/kg ($3.59/kg)
• 60: INR 270/kg ($3.23/kg)
• 70: INR 250/kg ($2.99/kg)
• 80: INR 230/kg ($2.75/kg)

Prices dropped after the first harvest in March, and currently, most Indian farms have shrimp of 50/60 count and smaller. Due to farmers' concerns about falling U.S. market prices, they harvested a large volume of smaller-sized shrimp prematurely, and supplies of larger sizes are expected to increase in about a month.

In China, the pond-gate prices of white shrimp continued to rise, though specific data was not provided.

In Indonesia, prices of white shrimp across all size ranges rose again in the 20th week. Data from a collaboration with Jala Tech in Indonesia showed:

• 30: IDR 82,700/kg ($5.63/kg)
• 40: IDR 76,300/kg ($5.19/kg)
• 50: IDR 68,400/kg ($4.65/kg)
• 60: IDR 65,200/kg ($4.43/kg)
• 90: IDR 54,500/kg ($3.71/kg)

Prices increased notably in East Java and Central Java, while remaining stable in West Java.

In Vietnam, the price of 20-count large white shrimp rose to VND 170,000/kg ($7.23/kg), while the prices of 30, 40, and 50 counts slightly declined.

In Thailand, white shrimp prices declined in the 19th week (May 6-12), with 60-count at THB 130/kg ($3.76/kg), 70-count at THB 120/kg ($3.47/kg), and 80-count at THB 110/kg ($3.18/kg).

Overall, the global trend in shrimp pond-gate prices is mixed, with Ecuador and India remaining stable, while China and Indonesia continue to see increases.