Shrimps have a semi-transparent body that is flattened from side to side. Also, there is a flexible abdomen that ends in a fanlike tail. The antennae are large and whiplike, and the appendages have been adapted for swimming. Shrimp may be found in all oceans. (In freshwater lakes and streams, in shallow and deep water) Many species are important for food production. Prawns are a term used to describe larger individuals. When considering shrimps, their cost is very high. So, why is shrimp so expensive? There are many reasons for that and let’s find out.
1. Seasonal nature
When considering shrimps, some are farmed and some are caught in the wild. If the shrimp is farmed, there are not too many seasonal aspects. If the shrimp is wild-caught, there will be seasons.
Due to weather and fishing rules, there may be no shrimp boats heading out to capture fresh seafood at various times of the year. This is unfortunate, and the shrimpers are having a difficult time, but it is all part of the job. So, this is a difficult thing to manage when it comes to supply.
During the off-season months, when shrimp must be frozen. So, people may notice a price increase. When the shrimping season is over, people may have a difficult time finding shrimp that isn’t farm-raised. So, supply and demand are very important and it will affect the pricing of the shrimp. This is the first reason that we can discuss under the topic of “Why is shrimp so expensive?”.
2. The way shrimp is farmed
This is very important because this leads to shrimp dying very often. When shrimps are farmed inland in ponds, this may affect.
These ponds require clean ocean water, must avoid overcrowding, and must have an excellent waste disposal system, among other things. Shrimp go through a cycle as they develop from eggs to larvae and then to adult shrimps. When a cycle is finished, the ponds are totally harvested, and the residual waste must be removed.
When considering ponds, although the ponds aren’t exceptionally large, the shrimp develop quickly. The cycles last about 100 days on average.
If there is an overcrowded pond, it is easy for the disease to spread. Also, the shrimps are actually stressed. Due to these reasons, shrimps may die quickly before the harvest. There is lots of shrimp waste and shrimp poop here. Unless cleaned well, they become toxic and it is another reason for the shrimps to die.
So, the water needs to be circulated well. Not only water, everything has to be managed and the cost will be higher due to these reasons.
3. Harvesting is tedious and processing cost is high
When harvesting, fishermen use nets to catch shrimps and they go out on boats and wait for several hours. If they cannot catch a significant amount of shrimps, the price goes up. Also, fisheries are used to raise shrimp.
The location of the shrimp is affected by tides, weather, season, temperature, and even the current.
If there are more abundant shrimps, the price will go down.
Once the shrimper has found shrimp to harvest, they must properly store them before transporting them to a fish market or distributor. To keep the shrimp from getting too warm or spoiling, the entire process requires some time and effort.
Shrimp has to be maintained very well to keep them alive and fresh. Shrimps also require specific fillet factories, where they must be sliced and cleaned before being shipped to retailers. The head, tail, and fins of the fish are sliced and their exoskeletons are removed in the fillet factory.
So, the cost is high for proper maintenance and processing.
4. High shipping cost
This is not like rearing cattle or other animals. On the road of transportation, people must go through a number of delivery methods.
The fishermen must first go out into the wild to catch them. Second, they must return with a sufficient amount of fish. Third, they are transported to a processing plant, where the price may increase if the plant is located far from the harbor. Finally, the shrimps are packaged and transported to wholesalers, who then distribute them to retailers.
Also, ship maintenance is very important and labor is also expensive. So, there are additional costs involved in shrimp farming.
5. Increase in the cost of fuel
Due to the increase in the cost of fuel, transportation costs are high. So, the price will increase and consumers have to pay for that. As fuel costs rise, people should expect most prices to rise as well.
The shrimp are pulled in using large nets that float in the water while the boat pulls them along. When those nets are loaded down with hundreds of pounds of shrimp, they are frequently equipped with the power to make it simpler to bring them in.
As a result, it will be costly to send shrimp boats out to regions where shrimping is possible and then to maintain the boat operating while shrimp is caught. This procedure takes a long time and consumes a lot of fuel.
Also, after collecting the shrimps, it may be a reason for the increase in shipping weight. So, the fuel investment also increases as well. So, the cost will go for the consumers. This is the fifth reason that we can discuss under the topic of “Why is shrimp so expensive?”.
6. Early mortality rates
When considering shrimps, they don’t live very long. So, the price will go up because the shrimp are dying at a younger age.
This is a major issue in farm-raised shrimp because there is huge management but there is a problem with shrimp s to live longer.
So, the shrimps may be small and the cost is quite high.
7. Shrimp is versatile
People can prepare shrimp in various ways such as barbecue, boil, broil, bake, and sauteing. There are also various dishes such as pineapple shrimp, coconut shrimp, lemon shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp sandwich, shrimp burger, and many other dishes.
Unlike other seafood, shrimp is used in practically every style of cooking, regardless of where it comes from.
Shrimp is also frequently served as an appetizer or as the main course of a meal. This tiny protein source is particularly popular due to its universal character.
According to the above facts, you can understand that shrimp is versatile and the cost is high because of that.
8. Import costs
Nowadays the United States is the world’s largest seafood importer. Given that the average American consumes over four pounds of shrimp each year, it should come as no surprise that the strong demand results in a high price tag.
Because imports account for about 90% of shrimp consumed in the United States, any change in foreign supply has an impact on both import costs and overall consumer pricing.
When considering the price of the shrimp, it is not only the cost of the shrimp. It includes taxes, transport fees, and insurance fees. So, the import cost affects the cost of the shrimp.
9. Rules and regulations
There are rules and regulations in any industry. This is the same for the food industry also. These rules and regulations ensure safety.
These laws apply to all food items, whether you buy fruits, meat, seafood, or anything else.
Though these rules are for protection, this is a reason for increasing the price of processing shrimps. This is because the shrimp industry’s rules have an impact not only on the finished product but also on the manufacturing process.
Boats have to pay for licenses. These are expensive. There are also rules for handling and storing shrimps.
There are precise delivery standards and procedures to adhere to. The rules are in place to ensure that it is safe to consume and that it is of excellent quality, but they also raise the overall cost.
10. Seafoods are always expensive
Shrimp is seafood. All seafood is expensive. Also, seafood goes off quickly.
When considering shrimps, after harvesting they need to be transported quickly. So, there are extra fees. This is the tenth reason that we can discuss under the topic of “Why is shrimp so expensive?”.
11. Shrimp-based dishes are always expensive
Also, shrimp-based dishes are always more expensive.
Before actual profits can be earned, the overall cost of the dish comprises the price of the major components, chefs’ fees, and settings. The price of the dishes reflects the cost of shrimp, which is already quite high.
12. Health benefits
Shrimp is high in protein and low in fat.
They may have health benefits such as enhanced bone and brain health, weight loss, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Shrimp has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging qualities that can help to lower the risk of a variety of illnesses.
There is also selenium and this is an antioxidant. This is important to maintain the immune system.
13. Quickly goes bad
Seafood goes bad quickly. If they are bad, people cannot get the real taste. So, this is another reason for the higher price.
When seafood is left out for even a few minutes, bacteria can begin to grow and spoil it. This is not only disgusting, but it can also be hazardous to humans.
So, it is very difficult to keep shrimp fresh after it is harvested. However, frozen fish is available in the market, which makes it a little easier to keep the food fresh.
There are various logistics involved in shrimp processing before it spoils. This was a challenging process that most likely included a lot of planning and careful efforts to keep the seafood cool along the way.
According to the above facts, there is a lot of work to ensure the freshness of shrimps. Due to the freshness of the shrimps, the price is quite a bit higher.
14. Shrimp can get diseases
Shrimp can get diseases and poor water can lead to the spreading of these diseases. Then diseases can spread to the other shrimp.
So, there is a big challenge to control this situation because diseases are not good and it mainly affects the supply.
Overall, shrimp are more sensitive to these diseases, which makes things more difficult. They will learn to build tolerances over time, but shrimp are not one of the stronger or more durable species. To keep illnesses away from shrimp, a lot of effort and scientific research are required.
So, more money has to be involved to overcome this situation and the cost needs to be paid by the consumer.
15. Location
This is another reason for the higher price of shrimp. If people live near the sea, they can find shrimp easily at a bit lower price.
Shrimp is much more common in coastal areas, and the shrimp’s taste will be more natural as well. When moving inland, it is difficult to find the real taste. If shrimp is available, it will most likely be frozen and may not be fresh enough to test. This is the final reason that we can discuss under the topic of “Why is shrimp so expensive?”.
When considering the journey of the shrimps according to the longer distances, the price will be a bit higher.
Conclusion
Why is shrimp so expensive? People have this confusion and now you know 15 main reasons for this question such as the way shrimp is farmed, processing cost, shipping cost, import cost, fuel, and early mortality rates. These reasons are important for you to understand the higher price for shrimp when buying.
Like this confusion, there are many other confusions and myths related to foods among people. So, stay with us to know the real situation behind the food facts and consider following us on Facebook and Instagram.
