U.S. Shrimp Coalition Launches to Keep Seafood Affordable and Support American Jobs

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Shrimp Coalition today announced its formation as the national voice for businesses, workers, retailers, restaurants, and supply-chain partners committed to preserving access to affordable shrimp for American consumers. Formed in response to ongoing efforts to restrict shrimp imports through policies and trade measures that would raise costs for families, create challenges for domestic seafood businesses, and disrupt supply chains that depend on imported shrimp, the Coalition will advocate for policies that preserve affordable shrimp, support U.S. seafood businesses, and protect the supply chains that serve communities across the country.

Shrimp has become America’s most popular seafood because consumers can find it year-round at affordable prices. Nearly 90 percent of the shrimp consumed in the United States is imported, supporting $10.4 billion in economic value and hundreds of thousands of American jobs across the seafood supply chain, including processing, packaging, transportation, retail, restaurants, and food service.

“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. The U.S. Shrimp Coalition was formed to make sure 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.”

“Globally sourced and domestic shrimp play complementary roles in meeting consumer demand,” said Lisa Wallenda Picard, President & CEO at 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 500,000+ American workers these businesses employ. The National Fisheries Institute is pleased to join the U.S. Shrimp Coalition in advocating for policies that keep shrimp affordable and available to American families in 50 states.”

“New tariffs and import restrictions ultimately show up as higher prices for consumers,” said David French, Executive Vice President of Government Relations at the National Retail Federation. “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. That is why we are joining the U.S. Shrimp Coalition to advocate for policies that benefit consumers and businesses alike.”

The U.S. Shrimp Coalition supports policies that:

• Keep shrimp affordable and accessible for American consumers;
• Maintain a reliable year-round seafood supply;
• Protect more than 500,000 U.S. jobs tied to the imported shrimp supply chain;
• Advance nutrition and public-health goals consistent with federal dietary guidance; and
• Recognize the distinct and complementary roles imported shrimp and domestic wild-caught shrimp play in meeting consumer demand.

Imported and domestic wild-caught shrimp are not interchangeable. Domestic shrimp is seasonal and limited in supply, while imported shrimp provides the consistent, year-round availability consumers expect. Tariffs and import restrictions would raise costs across the seafood supply chain, leading to higher prices for American families.

“Imported and domestic shrimp are complementary products that together help keep seafood affordable and available,” said Zive. “Policies that preserve access to imported shrimp benefit consumers, strengthens supply chains, and supports hundreds of thousands of American jobs.”

The U.S. Shrimp Coalition is a nationwide alliance of businesses, workers, retailers, restaurants, and supply-chain partners dedicated to preserving access to affordable shrimp, supporting American jobs, and promoting policies that strengthen the U.S. seafood economy. Coalition members represent stakeholders across the shrimp supply chain who work every day to bring safe, nutritious, and affordable seafood to consumers nationwide.

For more information, visit www.usshrimpcoalition.com.