If you live in the United States, our Gulf shrimp can be sent right to your door, no matter where you are. Our main office is in Biloxi, Mississippi. At Biloxi Shrimp Co. , our Extra Jumbo 16/20 Headless Wild-Caught USA Shrimp is available for $20. 00/lb. and can be quickly shipped to any of the 50 states. Any order placed on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday before noon CT is sent out that afternoon via UPS Next Day Air and will arrive the next day. UPS will get your shrimp to you overnight, but just in case something goes wrong, we suggest you get cheap shipping protection insurance through Route.
Shrimp is one of my favorite proteins to cook with. The sweet, succulent taste pairs perfectly in everything from shrimp cocktail and fried shrimp to shrimp scampi pasta and tacos. But before grabbing a bag at the store, I always find myself wondering – how much does a pound of shrimp cost?
The price of shrimp can vary quite a bit based on the size, quality, season and where you purchase it Getting familiar with factors that affect cost can help you budget for recipes and know if you’re getting the best deal
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at shrimp prices per pound based on common sizes, tips to find the best value, whether farmed or wild shrimp costs more, and how to save money when buying shrimp.
Factors That Affect Shrimp Prices
Several key factors impact the retail price of shrimp. Being aware of these can help you understand cost differences and fluctuations.
Shrimp Size
One of the biggest influences on price per pound is the size of the shrimp. Shrimp are typically labeled with a count range, such as 16/20 or 31/40. This number refers to how many individual shrimp are in one pound.
The lower the count range, the bigger the shrimp. Larger shrimp mean you get fewer per pound, so the price per pound is higher.
For example, colossal U/15 shrimp (15 or less per pound) can cost $22 or more per pound. Whereas small 51/60 shrimp may only be $10 per pound. The colossal shrimp are bigger individually, but you get far less per pound.
This handy shrimp size chart shows common industry sizes, counts per pound, and typical uses
Wild vs Farmed
Wild shrimp are more expensive than farmed shrimp. Wild shrimp prices also fluctuate more based on environmental conditions and seasonal availability
Farmed shrimp have a more consistent, year-round supply. So while prices go up and down slightly, farmed shrimp prices stay relatively steady.
Raw vs Cooked
Shrimp shrinks in size after cooking as the proteins tighten. You’ll pay more per pound for raw, shell-on shrimp versus cooked, peeled shrimp since the raw weighs more.
Peeled and deveined raw shrimp costs a little less than shrimp sold shell-on since you pay for the shells.
Fresh vs Frozen
Fresh, never frozen shrimp demand a higher premium. However, properly handled frozen shrimp still maintain excellent texture and flavor. I often buy frozen raw shrimp to get the best value.
Whole Shrimp vs Shrimp Meat
Whole, intact shrimp retains more flavor but requires some prep work. The convenience of pre-peeled, deveined shrimp meat costs more per pound.
With the shell removed, shrimp meat loses moisture quickly and has a shorter shelf life. The extra processing increases costs.
Where You Buy It
Prices can vary significantly depending on where you purchase shrimp. High-end markets, fishmongers and specialty seafood suppliers will charge the most. Big box stores and large grocers offer more competitive pricing.
Buying direct from a local fisherman or at the wharf will get you the best prices. But availability depends on what was caught that day.
Quality and Freshness
Higher quality shrimp harvested at peak freshness commands a premium price. Factors like where and how the shrimp were caught, how quickly they were frozen or processed, and handling standards affect quality.
Many of us don’t have access to shrimp right off the boat. But if you’re paying premium prices at the fish counter, ask questions to ensure you’re getting the highest quality.
What Does Shrimp Cost at the Grocery Store?
To give you a better idea of real-world shrimp prices, here is an overview of what you can expect to pay per pound for raw, shell-on shrimp at a typical grocery store:
- Colossal (U/15 or lower): $17 to $25+ per lb
- Extra Jumbo (16/20 count): $14 to $18 per lb
- Jumbo (21/25 count): $12 to $16 per lb
- Extra Large (26/30 count): $10 to $14 per lb
- Large (31/40 count): $9 to $12 per lb
- Medium (41/50 count): $7 to $11 per lb
- Small (51/60 count): $5 to $9 per lb
These prices are based on regular grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, etc. Specialty retailers, fish markets, and buying direct from fishermen will be higher for the highest-quality shrimp.
Big box stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s, and Walmart will be on the lower end of this spectrum. Their buying power allows them to offer the best regular prices on large quantities of shrimp.
Cost of Pre-Cooked Shrimp
For peeled, cooked shrimp meat expect to pay $1 to $4 more per pound compared to raw. So cooked colossal shrimp would be $18 per pound and up, while cooked small shrimp average $6 to $13 per pound depending on quality.
Many factors affect pre-cooked, including whether they are wild-caught or farmed, peeled/deveined or not, tail-on or off, and so on. Again, big box stores offer the most competitive pricing.
Shrimp Prices at Restaurants
Ordering shrimp dishes from restaurants, especially anything fried, grilled or sauteed, will add a significant premium. Appetizers like shrimp cocktail can run $12 to $16. Entrees with shrimp average $18 to $30 at most casual dining restaurants.
While the shrimp itself may only cost a restaurant $10 per pound or less, labor, overhead, and profit margins boost the price considerably. Just know that cooking your own will save big bucks!
How Shrimp Prices Change Throughout the Year
Shrimp availability and prices fluctuate seasonally, similar to other types of seafood. There are a few times a year when you can expect to see the lowest and highest prices.
Best Time to Buy Shrimp
The best deals on shrimp happen from late summer through winter. August through November is peak harvest time for wild-caught shrimp in the US Gulf Coast. And farmed shrimp supply is steadiest this time of year as well.
Increased supply leads to lower prices starting around August, which typically last through the end of the year. Just in time for holiday meals and appetizers!
Most Expensive Time for Shrimp
Shrimp prices start to climb in the spring and hit annual highs by May to early June before the new season gets underway.
April through June is the most expensive time to buy shrimp. Availability of wild shrimp is lowest and demand starts increasing for summer menus.
If you love shrimp, stock up when it’s reasonably priced during the fall and winter. Then plan alternate seafood choices for spring and early summer when shrimp prices surge.
Tips for Finding the Best Shrimp Value
Beyond buying in season, there are other easy ways to get the best deal on shrimp without sacrificing quality:
- Check weekly ads and pick up shrimp when it goes on sale
- Buy bulk frozen shrimp at big box stores or wholesale clubs
- Opt for farmed shrimp instead of wild (if the recipe works)
- Buy raw shrimp and peel/devein yourself
- Use medium or large shrimp instead of jumbo or colossal
- Substitute a less expensive protein occasionally
- Purchase shell-on shrimp vs peeled meat
- Buy frozen shrimp instead of fresh
- Cook and serve smaller appetizer portions
With a bit of flexibility and smart shopping, you can make delicious shrimp dishes while sticking to your grocery budget.
While shrimp prices per pound may seem high compared to chicken or other proteins, a little goes a long way. Making shrimp the star of a dish or appetizer allows you to serve an impressive, restaurant-quality meal at home.
How Much Shrimp Should You Buy?
When a good sale price comes along, shrimp can be worth buying in bulk. But how much should you purchase to get the best value without waste?
Here are some tips on quantities to buy and how long shrimp keeps:
- Raw, shell-on shrimp keeps 6-9 months frozen. Feel free to stock up.
- Buy at least 1 pound to get the best rate. Often 1.5-2 lb bags are similarly priced per pound.
- Allow 4-6 ounces (1/4 to 1/3 lb) per person for appetizers and main dishes.
- Shrimp flesh loses moisture quickly once peeled/cooked. Buy these amounts fresh.
- Cooked shrimp keeps 2-3 months frozen, 1 week refrigerated.
Investing in a vacuum sealer can extend the freezer life of shrimp substantially. Vacuum sealing blocks moisture loss that causes freezer burn.
With the wide range of shrimp prices, you can always find options to suit your recipe needs and budget. Just keep quality size, value tips, and buying times in
Bringing the Taste of the Gulf to Your Kitchen
If you’re looking for extra jumbo headless shrimp in the shell, Biloxi Shrimp Co. has you covered – no matter where you live in the United States. Our facility is on the Back Bay of Biloxi, Mississippi, and our wild-caught shrimp are processed there. They are then carefully checked for quality. They’re then quick individually frozen and prepared for delivery, using special packing materials.
Each pound of our extra jumbo headless shrimp contains 16 to 20 individual shrimp, depending on their weight. They are packaged in easy-to-store bags, saving you precious freezer space. When your shrimp arrive, they will be frozen. When you’re ready to cook, all you have to do is let them thaw. Enjoy having real Gulf Coast shrimp in your home.
What Are Extra Jumbo Headless Shrimp?
The warm waters of the Gulf and South Atlantic are where our extra-jumbo headless shrimp are caught, letting them grow to their huge size on their own. The heads are then removed, leaving the shells and tails intact. Our extra jumbo headless shrimp are ideal for recipes that involve cooking in the shell.
How Many Shrimp Are in A Pound | What Is The Shrimp Count
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 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 many Jumbo Shrimp in a pound?
Extra jumbo – 16 to 20 pieces of shrimp in a pound. (16/20 count) Jumbo – 21 to 25 pieces of shrimp in a pound. (21/25 count) Extra large – 26 to 30 pieces of shrimp in a pound. (26/30 count) Large – 31 to 40 pieces of shrimp in a pound. (31/40 count) Medium-large – 36 to 40 pieces of shrimp in a pound. (36/40 count)
How much raw unpeeled shrimp is enough?
For the little ones, 1/2 pound of raw unpeeled shrimp is more than enough, so 7-8 pounds will be enough shrimp. If you have 10 people at the party and most of them are large men who eat a lot, you might need to increase the basic number to account for their appetite. In this case, 13-14 pounds of raw unpeeled shrimp would be sufficient.