Shrimp – its whats for dinner. And lunch. And, lets be honest, if we could get away with eating shrimp for breakfast, we would. You can make any meal into something special if you add shrimp to it. Indeed, shrimp is a gift from the seafood gods, and here in Florida, we’re spoiled for choice thanks to the Key West pinks that our fishermen catch in the water.
Shrimp are a delicious and versatile seafood ingredient that can be used in everything from shrimp tacos to shrimp scampi pasta But before adding shrimp to your grocery list, an important question is – how much are shrimp per pound?
The cost of shrimp can vary quite a bit depending on the specific type, size, and source. In this detailed guide, we’ll break down the factors that impact shrimp prices per pound so you know what to expect from your grocery budget.
Shrimp Pricing Factors
Several key factors impact the retail price of shrimp per pound
Shrimp Size
One of the biggest factors affecting cost is the size of the shrimp. Shrimp are categorized by “count per pound”, which refers to the number of individual shrimp in one pound. For example, “16/20 count” means 16 to 20 shrimp make up one pound. The larger the shrimp, the lower the count per pound and the higher the price per pound.
- Extra Colossal (10 shrimp or less per lb): $12-$15 per lb
- Jumbo (16-20 per lb): $9-$12 per lb
- Large (31-35 per lb): $7-$10 per lb
- Medium (36-42 per lb): $5-$8 per lb
- Small (43-50 per lb): $3-$6 per lb
Source
Wild-caught shrimp typically costs more than farm-raised shrimp. Wild shrimp from the US Gulf Coast regions tend to be a good value, while shrimp sourced from other countries can vary in price.
- Wild-Caught U.S. Gulf Shrimp: $8-$15 per lb
- Imported Farm-Raised Shrimp: $4-$12 per lb
Preparation
The preparation and processing of shrimp impacts cost as well. Raw, shell-on shrimp with heads on are the most affordable. Peeled, deveined tail-on shrimp costs a bit more. Fully cooked shrimp is generally the most expensive option.
- Raw Shell-On: $3-$8 per lb
- Peeled & Deveined: $7-$15 per lb
- Fully Cooked: $10-$18 per lb
Seasonality
Like many seafoods, shrimp prices fluctuate throughout the year. In colder months when shrimp are out of season, expect to pay a higher price per pound. Spring and summer are peak seasons with better availability and lower costs.
- In-Season (Spring/Summer): $4-$12 per lb
- Out-of-Season (Fall/Winter): $6-$15 per lb
Sales & Promotions
Watch for weekly sales, promotions, and seasonal discounts to save on shrimp. Stock up when you see a good deal.
- Weekly Specials: $1-$2 off per lb
- Major Holidays: $2-$4 off per lb
Location & Store Type
Where you shop can impact shrimp prices as well. Warehouse clubs and online seafood retailers tend to offer lower prices for bulk orders. Your local grocery store or fish market may charge a premium.
- Warehouse Clubs: $5-$10 per lb
- Grocery Stores: $7-$15 per lb
- Fish Markets: $10-$18 per lb
By keeping these key pricing factors in mind, you can estimate the cost of shrimp and find the best deals in your area. Check ads and shop around for the most affordable options. With smart shopping, you can enjoy delicious shrimp without blowing your grocery budget.
Average Shrimp Prices at Popular Grocery Stores
To give you a better idea of real-world shrimp prices, here are current average costs at 5 top grocery chains:
Kroger
- Raw, shell-on: $7 per lb
- Cooked, peeled: $10 per lb
- Raw 16/20 count: $9 per lb
- Raw 31/35 count: $8 per lb
Walmart
- Raw, shell-on: $4-$9 per lb
- Cooked, seasoned: $7-$10 per lb
- Raw, peeled 26/30: $9 per lb
- Raw 41/50 count: $7 per lb
Costco
- Raw, shell-on: $5-$7 per lb
- Cooked, tail-on: $9-$12 per lb
- Wild-caught raw: $10 per lb
- Raw 16/20 count: $12 per lb
Aldi
- Raw, shell-on: $7-$9 per lb
- Cooked, seasoned: $8-$11 per lb
- Raw, peeled: $10 per lb
- Raw 21/25 count: $9 per lb
Publix
- Raw, shell-on: $8-$12 per lb
- Cooked, tail-on: $12-$15 per lb
- Raw, peeled: $13 per lb
- Raw 16/20 count: $15 per lb
Within the major chains, you’ll find prices are driven by the shrimp attributes like size, preparation, and source as outlined above. Comparing deals across stores can help you save.
Getting the Best Deal on Shrimp
Here are some of my top tips for getting affordable shrimp every time you shop:
- Check weekly ads and coupons for promotions on shrimp
- Buy in bulk on sale if you can freeze extras
- Opt for raw, shell-on shrimp when possible
- Buy larger shrimp sizes for more value per pound
- Purchase in-season shrimp in spring and summer
- Buy American-sourced wild shrimp for a good value
- Shop at big box stores or warehouse clubs for lower prices
At the end of the day, shrimp can make for an economical protein source when bought at the best price. By using sale prices, buying in bulk, and purchasing the most affordable size and type, you can serve up budget-friendly shrimp dishes for your family. Give some of these tips a try next time you shop to take advantage of the best shrimp deals in your area.
Pound for Pound, the Best Value Out There
Florida pink shrimp is delicious, and you’ll love that we’re the best place to get the best shrimp for the least amount of money per pound. You can find huge shrimp at Eaton Street. These are fresh 16/20 count and 21/25 count shrimp, and they all cost about $20 a pound. That’s not a sale price; that’s our regular price! And yes, these are fresh Gulf shrimp, just pulled from the water and dropped off by one of our many local fishermen partners who bring us fresh seafood. This is what we mean by customer service when it comes to Eaton Street.
In fact, we’re the best place to get both Key West Pink shrimp and the hard-to-find Royal Red gulf shrimp. These deepwater shrimp are often found 800 feet or even deeper. They taste buttery and almost lobster-like, and you have to try them to really understand what I mean. You’ll love the taste of these one-of-a-kind shrimp, so don’t be shy about adding some to your next order. But be careful—not all Florida fishermen are licensed to catch Royal Reds, so it’s not always easy to find them! We want to give every customer the best fresh shrimp, so we go out of our way to offer fresh Royal Reds.
How Many Shrimp Are in A Pound | What Is The Shrimp Count
FAQ
What is shrimp market price?
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Product
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Price
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Unit
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6/8 Jumbo Shrimp Raw
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$16.99
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lb.
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North Carolina Raw Boat Run Shrimp
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$11.99
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lb.
|
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16/20 Shrimp Cocktail
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$11.99
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lb.
|
|
31/40 Peeled & De-veined Raw All-Natural Shrimp
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$6.99
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lb.
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How many shrimp per pound?
The number of shrimp per serving depends on the size of the shrimp. A serving of tiny salad shrimp (71+ per pound) is close to 17+ shrimp, while a serving of Colossal (U/15) shrimp is 3 to 4 shrimp. See the serving size column in the chart above for the approximate serving size for each shrimp size (in terms of cooked shrimp).
How much does a pound of shrimp cost?
In summary, larger shrimp sizes like colossal and jumbo will be $15-25+ per pound, while smaller sizes like medium and small usually range $4-12 per pound. Beyond type and size, there are a few other factors that affect the cost of shrimp: Wild vs Farm-Raised – Wild-caught shrimp is more expensive since availability is limited.
How many shrimp are in a serving?
Because shrimp can lose up to 25% of their weight after cooking, a serving size is 3 ounces cooked, and approximately 4 ounces raw. The number of shrimp per serving depends on the size of the shrimp. A serving of tiny salad shrimp (71+ per pound) is close to 17+ shrimp, while a serving of Colossal (U/15) shrimp is 3 to 4 shrimp.
How much shrimp for 4 people?
From there, we recommend adding an extra 1/2 of a pound for every 4 people to be safe. For example, 4 people would traditionally need about 1 pound of shrimp, but in this case, go ahead and plan 1.5 pounds for 4 people. When you calculate this out, 25 people breaks down into 6 groups of 4, plus another person.