A new coalition representing seafood importers, retailers, restaurants and other supply-chain stakeholders is pushing back against growing efforts to restrict shrimp imports, arguing the products are essential to keeping seafood affordable for American consumers while supporting hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs.
Key takeaway
A newly formed U.S. Shrimp Coalition says imported shrimp is essential to keeping seafood affordable and supporting more than 500,000 U.S. jobs, while entering the ongoing debate over trade policies that domestic shrimp harvesters argue are needed to strengthen the U.S. wild shrimp industry.
Announced July 31, the U.S. Shrimp Coalition said it was formed in response to what it described as ongoing efforts to restrict shrimp imports through trade policies and other measures that could raise costs for consumers, create challenges for seafood businesses and disrupt supply chains that depend on imported shrimp.
"Shrimp is a staple on dinner tables across America because it's nutritious, accessible, and affordable," said Josh Zive, executive director of the U.S. Shrimp Coalition. "The businesses that import, distribute, store, and serve shrimp support hundreds of thousands of jobs while ensuring families can enjoy America's favorite seafood year-round."
Zive said the coalition was created to ensure policymakers understand that imported shrimp is "not just a trade issue—it's an affordability issue, a jobs issue, and an essential part of America's food supply."
"We will advocate for policies that keep shrimp affordable and accessible for consumers nationwide," he said.
According to the coalition, nearly 90% of the shrimp consumed in the United States is imported, supporting an estimated $10.4 billion in economic activity and more than 500,000 jobs across processing, packaging, transportation, retail, restaurants and food service.
The coalition said its policy priorities include maintaining affordable, year-round access to shrimp, protecting jobs tied to the imported shrimp supply chain, advancing nutrition and public health goals, and recognizing what it describes as the complementary roles of imported shrimp and domestic wild-caught shrimp.
"Imported and domestic wild-caught shrimp are not interchangeable," the coalition said in its announcement. "Domestic shrimp is seasonal and limited in supply, while imported shrimp provides the consistent, year-round availability consumers expect."
Among the coalition's founding supporters is the National Fisheries Institute.
"Globally sourced and domestic shrimp play complementary roles in meeting consumer demand," said Lisa Wallenda Picard, president and CEO of the National Fisheries Institute. "Seafood sourced overseas provides the reliable, year-round supply Americans rely on while supporting U.S. processors, distributors, restaurateurs and retailers, along with the more than 500,000 American workers these businesses employ."
The National Retail Federation also joined the coalition, with Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French arguing that additional tariffs and import restrictions would ultimately result in higher prices for consumers.
"Retailers support policies that keep shrimp affordable, maintain reliable supply chains and ensure families continue to have access to one of America's favorite seafood products," French said.
The coalition's launch comes as debate over imported shrimp continues across the U.S. seafood industry. Domestic wild shrimp harvesters, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, have for years argued that low-priced imports have driven down ex-vessel prices and placed significant economic pressure on American fishermen. Industry groups representing domestic harvesters have continued to advocate for stronger trade enforcement and other measures they say are needed to create a more level playing field.
The U.S. Shrimp Coalition, however, argues that imported and domestic shrimp fill different roles in the marketplace, with imported product providing the consistent, year-round supply needed to meet consumer demand while supporting businesses throughout the U.S. seafood supply chain.
"Imported and domestic shrimp are complementary products that together help keep seafood affordable and available," Zive said. "Policies that preserve access to imported shrimp benefit consumers, strengthen supply chains and support hundreds of thousands of American jobs."
The coalition said it will advocate for policies that preserve access to imported shrimp while supporting the broader U.S. seafood economy, adding another voice to an ongoing discussion over trade, seafood affordability and the future of the domestic shrimp industry.
