EU DATA: Raw frozen shrimp imports drop 5% on year in 2026 through Feb. 15

EU raw frozen shrimp imports totaled 46,601 metric tons over Jan. 1- Feb. 15, down 5.4% compared to the same period last year, according to the latest European Commission data released Feb. 17.

Value-added shrimp imports declined 13% year over year to 11,856 mt over the same period.

Spain was the bloc's largest buyer, importing 19,183 mt of raw frozen and value-added shrimp, followed by the Netherlands with 8,821 mt and Belgium with 7,446 mt.

Ecuador was the EU's top supplier, exporting 12,939 mt, followed by Argentina with 10,725 mt, and India with 10,496 mt.

During Feb. 9-15, the EU imported 1,082 mt of raw frozen shrimp and 307 mt of value-added shrimp. During this period, the largest buyers were Spain with 776 mt, Denmark with 120 mt and the Netherlands with 101 mt. Ecuador remained the largest exporter at 421 mt, followed by India at 215 mt.

Market participants reported a slowdown following strong growth earlier in the year, with higher local inventories further reducing demand.

In 2025, the EU imported 446,684 mt of frozen shrimp and 89,020 mt of value-added products, up 5% and 13% year over year, respectively.

EU shrimp prices have come under pressure amid slowing demand and high inventories. Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed head-on, shell-on shrimp CIF EU at $4,950/mt on Feb. 16, unchanged day over day.