Shrimp is tasty, easy-to-find and downright seductive bathed in a buttery sauce. But before you serve your partner scampi tonight, make sure you get these small crustaceans from a source that is safe and will last. That’s because the imported, farm-raised shrimp that Americans eat might come at a huge human and environmental cost. Why should you buy shrimp from responsible farms and fisheries this Valentine’s Day? Because they don’t use forced labor or clear-cut forests, and because they don’t put antibiotics in their food that haven’t been approved by the FDA.
Shrimp is hands-down one of the most popular seafoods in the United States. The average American consumes around 5 pounds of shrimp every year which is nearly double the consumption of any other type of seafood. But despite shrimp’s prominence on menus and dinner tables across the country most people know surprisingly little about where this tasty crustacean originally comes from.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at the complex origins of shrimp, examining both wild-caught and farm-raised shrimp production. We’ll also highlight some of the major exporting countries that provide shrimp to American consumers. By the end, you’ll have a much clearer understanding of exactly where your shrimp dinner originated!
An Overview of Global Shrimp Production
Worldwide, only 45% of the shrimp consumed is caught wild. The other 55% comes from aquaculture shrimp farms.
The top shrimp farming countries are:
- China
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- India
- Vietnam
Other major farmed shrimp producers include Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico.
In the United States, most shrimp farming takes place in Hawaii and Florida, though some smaller operations exist in a few other states like Kentucky.
For wild-caught shrimp, the waters off Southeast Asia are by far the most productive. India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand lead in the harvest of wild shrimp from the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Where Does Shrimp in the US Come From?
The United States imports over 90% of the shrimp consumed domestically. That means the shrimp on your plate almost certainly originated from another country.
The top sources of imported shrimp for the US market are
- India
- Indonesia
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Ecuador
- Mexico
The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico do produce around 25% of America’s wild-caught shrimp. But imported farmed shrimp dominates the domestic market.
This heavy reliance on imports stems from America’s very large appetite for shrimp. The average annual consumption of 5 pounds per person is difficult to satisfy with only domestic production. Prices would likely be much higher if most shrimp eaten in the US was harvested closer to home.
Concerns Over Imported Shrimp Farming Practices
While importing shrimp allows for plentiful and affordable supply, some concerns exist over farming practices in the major exporting nations.
Limited environmental regulations in some countries have led to issues like:
- Discharge of waste or chemicals into local waterways
- Overuse of antibiotics
- Destruction of coastal mangrove forests to build shrimp farms
These factors can damage fragile marine ecosystems. They also raise food safety issues regarding chemical residues and antibiotic resistance.
However, it is possible to source shrimp that has been raised responsibly. Look for trusted eco-certification labels like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) or the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) seal. Purchasing domestic wild-caught shrimp is another good option.
Final Thoughts on America’s Top Seafood
Hopefully this breakdown has helped shed some light on the complex origins of shrimp. With shrimp’s popularity showing no signs of waning, consumer awareness and engagement on sustainability issues will remain critical. We can all enjoy shrimp responsibly by being mindful of where our shrimp comes from and how it was produced.
The next time you grab a bag of frozen shrimp or order a shrimp dish at a restaurant, you’ll have a much deeper understanding of the shrimp’s journey to your plate!
In Thailand, shrimp processing facilities have been linked to human trafficking
Thailand, the biggest supplier of shrimp imported to the U.S., is also a major hub for human trafficking and slavery. In 2014 and 2015, investigations from several major newspapers revealed that a sizeable portion of the farmed Thai shrimp that wound up in American, European and Asian grocery stores and restaurants had directly or indirectly passed through the hands of trafficked workers.
A 2015 Associated Press exposé, for example, uncovered rampant abuses in Thailand’s shrimp-peeling plants. In these facilities — often little more than sheds — impoverished migrants from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos were tricked or sold into debt bondage. Victims recounted 16-hour shifts, grueling child labor and physical abuse. Some were forced to work through severe illness and miscarriage. Others were locked inside for months or years on end.
Local communities in Asia and Central America can suffer when shrimp farms arrive
Local and indigenous fishing communities across Asia and Central America rely on mangrove forests for food, income and other resources like firewood. Mangroves are important nurseries for young fish that grow up to be commercially valuable, and are lifelong homes for scores of fish, shellfish, bird and mammal species. But when a shrimp farm comes to town, it can privatize and destroy this vital resource. And if fishing communities put up a fight, the repercussions can be fatal.
In the past, murders and rapes in Bangladesh have been connected to protests against shrimp farms. In Guatemala, police and private guards have murdered fishers who protest shrimp farms’ pollution and destruction of once-rich fishing grounds. Murders have also been tied to shrimp aquaculture in almost a dozen other countries including Mexico, the Philippines and Brazil.
How Shrimp Are Caught & Processed | From Sea to the Shrimp Processing Factory
Where do shrimp come from?
Hawaii and Florida are home to a good deal of the relatively small U.S. shrimp farming industry, though the limited habitat requirements allow production in more unusual places like Kentucky, as well. Of the remaining amount, the vast majority are caught in Indian and Pacific Ocean waters close to Southeast Asia.
Can one eat raw shrimps?
While raw shrimp or shrimp sashimi can be consumed safely, raw shrimp is considered a high-risk food because it can harbour harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and various Vibrio bacteria. Although some people consider the seafood used in ceviche raw, it is actually cooked by immersing it in an acid rather than using heat. The acid from the citrus can reduce harmful bacteria but it is not as effective as using heat. The safest approach would be to consume only cooked shrimp from a reliable source. The US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) advises that pregnant women, those with weakened immunity, older adults, and young children are at higher risk of foodborne illness and its consequences and should avoid all raw seafood.
Where do shrimp live?
Shrimp occur in all oceans—in shallow and deep water—and in freshwater lakes and streams. Many species are commercially important as food. Shrimp range in length from a few millimetres to more than 20 cm (about 8 inches); average size is about 4 to 8 cm (1.5 to 3 inches). Larger individuals are often called prawns.
Where do cheap shrimp come from?
Aerial view of shrimp farm and air purifier in Thailand. Of course, for the overwhelmingly majority of Americans, the cheap shrimp they’re buying is not wild-caught, it’s farmed. The vast majority of shrimp comes from coastal pond farming in countries like China, India, Thailand, and Indonesia.