US Shrimp Imports Surge 38 Percent as Tariff Deadline Approaches

With the July 9 tariff deadline nearing, US shrimp importers are rushing to secure shipments, driving a 38% year-on-year increase in April shrimp imports to 70,263 tons, according to UCN data. The total value of imports reached $611.5 million, a 47% surge compared to last year.

Ecuador led the export boom, shipping 19,952 tons to the US in April—more than double its export volume from the same month in 2024. Analyst Gary Morrison attributed the spike to exporters attempting to avoid imminent high tariffs, with countries like India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand facing rates of 26%, 32%, 46%, and 36%, respectively. Only the UK has secured a deal to maintain a 10% tariff on shrimp exports to the US.

From January to April, the US imported 275,911 tons of shrimp, an 18% increase, valued at over $2.3 billion (+28%). In April alone, US tariff revenue from shrimp products grew to $4.6 million, up sharply from $280,000 in the same period last year.

Ecuador’s export surge also reflects concerns over declining Chinese demand, prompting a diversification of its shrimp trade. Morrison predicts May imports will remain high, with the July policy shift marking a critical turning point for global shrimp markets in the second half of the year.