EU market importing more warmwater shrimp
The European Union imported 40,547 tonnes of raw frozen and value-added warmwater shrimp in May 2025, registering a 27% increase year-on-year and the highest May volume ever recorded, confirms new industry analysis from Shrimp Insights.
Meanwhile, the total value of these imports soared 24% year-on-year to €246 million.
For the first five months of this year, imports totalled 164,701 tonnes worth €1.08 billion – up 19% and 28%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2024.
Shrimp Insights highlighted the year-on-year growth in volume and value has resulted in a downward price trend since the beginning of this year. It said that if this continues, prices may soon reach similar low levels as in the first-half of 2024.
In terms of buying regions, Shrimp Insights noted that Southern EU markets – led by Spain, France and Italy – imported 25,843 tonnes in May, up 31% compared to last year and accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total volume. Northwestern Europe followed with 13,731 tonnes, marking a 27% increase and continuing its upward trend since March. In contrast, Eastern EU imports dropped 28% to just 973 tonnes, with its year-to-date growth falling to -12%.
With regards to suppliers, Ecuador extended its dominance in the EU shrimp market, shipping 24,188 tonnes in May – a 39% increase year-over-year. This brought its year-to-date total to 88,625 tonnes, representing more than half of the EU’s shrimp imports so far this year. India followed with 4,817 tonnes in May (+25%), consolidating its second-place position with a year-to-date total of 21,363 tonnes. Vietnam also made a strong showing in May, increasing its exports by 53% to 4,791 tonnes, and outpacing its January–May growth rate of 23%.
