As the 2026 trade season progresses, the Asian shrimp industry remains in a defensive crouch

Indian Shrimp Industry Buckles Under Weight of New US Tariffs

INDIA
Monday, May 11, 2026, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Escalating Trade Barriers Force Farmers to Halt Harvests as Latin American Competitors Gain Ground

NEW DELHI — A tightening web of US trade restrictions is sending shockwaves through the Indian aquaculture sector, forcing local producers to freeze operations as the US Department of Commerce (DOC) ramps up financial penalties. The latest preliminary antidumping results have introduced fresh duties ranging from 2.36% to 4.30% on Indian shrimp exporters, compounding an already strained trade relationship.

The Rising Cost of Export

The DOC review, which analyzed frozen warm-water shrimp exports between February 2024 and January 2025 , singled out several major players. Sandhya Aqua Exports was hit with the highest individual duty rate of 4.30% , while other investigated firms face rates between 2.36% and 3% . All other companies not specifically audited are now subject to a uniform duty of 3.33% .

While these individual figures may appear modest, industry experts warn that the cumulative "tax stack"—including anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and various surcharges—has previously pushed the total tax burden on some products close to 50% .

A Shift in Market Dominance

The United States remains the primary destination for Indian seafood, with imports projected to reach nearly 300,000 tons by the end of 2025. However, the momentum is shifting:

• India’s export growth to the US has slowed to a marginal 1.7% year-on-year.

• Conversely, Ecuador has seen a massive 24% surge in exports to the US during the same period.

As Indian farmers in regions like Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat opt ​​to delay their harvests by approximately 45 days in early 2026 to avoid selling at a loss, Latin American suppliers are rapidly filling the vacuum.

Market Volatility and Legal Shifts

The disruption comes at a time of extreme price instability. Wholesale prices for Asian head-on shell-off ( HLSO ) shrimp have plummeted to a 52-week low , wiping out price gains seen after the April 2025 "Liberation Day tariffs."

Despite the current slowdown, some analysts expect a sudden surge in volume following a US Supreme Court ruling that rejected certain tariff measures under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) . This legal pivot could allow Indian shrimp to re-enter the US market at an accelerated pace, though it may further depress wholesale prices.

A Pan-Asian Crackdown

The pressure is not limited to India . The US Department of Commerce has signaled a broader crackdown across Asia , launching administrative reviews into a massive number of suppliers:

• India : 394 companies

• Vietnam : 299 companies

• Thailand : 199 companies

• China : 199 companies

As the 2026 trade season progresses, the Asian shrimp industry remains in a defensive crouch, navigating a landscape defined by aggressive US protectionism and fierce competition from the Western Hemisphere .

🇯🇵 Japanese

New U.S. Customs Tariff Industry

The intensification of trade barriers, により, ラテンアメリカの合合が台头する中でFarmers’ harvesting stop を窒义なくされる

ニューデリー—The U.S. Trade Restrictions Network が强まる中,インドの Aquaculture セクターに撃が行っており, The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has strengthened its regulations and implemented strict regulations to stop local producers from operating. The latest anti-countermeasures preliminary survey results, 1st Department of Industry and Commerce Export Company, 2.36% , 4. 30% of the new tariffs are imported, and the tension is high and the trade relations are high. The load is high.

Output コストのrise

February 2024からJanuary 2025までのfrozen warm waterエビのoutputをanalysisしたDOCのreviewでは、いくつかのMain enterpriseがspecificされました. Sandhya Aqua Exports has a maximum individual tax rate of 4.30%, a tax rate of 4.30% , and a tax rate of 2.36 % for enterprises. For specific inspections and inspections of other companies, a uniform tariff of 3.33% is applicable.

これらの Individual digital control えめに见えるかもしれませんが、Industry の専The accumulated fees for various types of fees such as door-to-door tariffs, counter-taxes, internecine tariffs, and tariffs are included.な「タックス・スタック（tax no accumulationみ上げ）」が、 formerly a part of the product The tax burden is 50%, and the tax burden is almost 50%.

Change of market power

The U.S. is still the main destination of the products produced in the United States , and the input volume is By the end of , approximately 300,000 tokens will be available.しかし、その时いは変化しています：

• The output of the インドの対米is extended, and the でわずか1.7% is passivated compared to the previous year.

• During the same period , the output of Tsutsumi's に and エクアドルは's に対米が24% increased sharply.

アンドラ・プラデシュzhouやグジャラート州などの区のインHuman breeders, deficits, sales, avoidance, early 2026 The first harvest is about 45 days , and the harvest time is about 45 days.アメリカのサプライヤーが快にその白をburyめています.

Market changes and legal changes

This is a period of chaos and extreme instability.アジアproduced no head shell to pay き ( HLSO ) エビの出売価格は52weeksぶりの安値にまで热色し、 In April 2025 , "Liberation Day" tariffs were released and the tariffs increased and the tariffs were reduced.

The current deceleration system, the first deceleration system, and the International Emergency Environmental Protection Agency (IEEPA) are related to the special The decision of the Supreme Court of the Republic of the United States on the withdrawal of fixed tariff measures has not been accepted, and the sudden and rapid increase in supply volume has been reflected on the situation. The この法な転changed to により, and the インドproduced のエビが accelerated the なペースでAmerican market and re-entered the country.る possibility がありますが, それは出売価格 をさらに pressing し下げる possibility があります.

アジア全区への取り合まり

The pressure is the same as the pressure . Administrative review by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Commerce of the United Statesをstart し、アジアall への広风なtake り合まりをshow instigation しています：

• インド：394 Club

• ベトナム：299 Club

• タイ：199 club

• China : 199 Society

In 2026 , the trade will enter the country, the industry will enter, and the protectionism of the United States will be attacked in the west. The definition of hemisphere 's excitement and competition is the navigation of the situation, and the status of the defensive side is the definition of competition.

🇨🇳 Simplified Chinese

India's shrimp industry succumbs to new US tariffs

Elevated trade barriers have forced fish farmers to halt fishing, allowing Latin American competitors to capitalize on the situation.

New Delhi — India’s aquaculture industry is being hit hard as the U.S. tightens its trade restrictions . Local producers have been forced to freeze operations as the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) increases financial penalties. The latest preliminary findings of an antidumping investigation have imposed new tariffs ranging from 2.36% to 4.30% on some Indian shrimp exporters , further straining already tense trade relations.

Export costs are rising

The U.S. Department of Commerce reviewed and analyzed frozen warm-water shrimp exports from February 2024 to January 2025 , naming several major companies. Sandhya Aqua Exports was subject to a personal tariff of up to 4.30% , while other companies under investigation were subject to rates between 2.36% and 3% . All other companies not specifically audited are now subject to a uniform tariff of 3.33% .

While these individual figures may not seem alarming, industry experts warn that the cumulative “tax stacking,” which includes anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and various surcharges, has previously brought the total tax burden on some products close to 50% .

Shift in market dominance

The United States remains the primary destination for Indian seafood, with imports projected to reach nearly 300,000 tons by the end of 2025. However, the trend is shifting:

• India ’s export growth to the US has slowed to just 1.7% year-on-year .

• In contrast, Ecuador's exports to the United States increased significantly by 24% during the same period .

Latin American suppliers are rapidly filling the vacuum as Indian farmers in regions such as Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat choose to delay their harvest by about 45 days in early 2026 to avoid selling at a loss .

Market volatility and legal changes

This turmoil is occurring during a period of extreme price volatility. Wholesale prices for headless, shell-on ( HLSO ) shrimp from Asia have fallen to a 52-week low , offsetting price gains made after the announcement of the U.S. "Liberation Day tariffs" in April 2025 .

Despite the current slowdown in growth, some analysts predict a potential surge in supply following the U.S. Supreme Court's rejection of certain tariffs related to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( IEEPA ). This legal shift could allow Indian shrimp to re-enter the U.S. market at a faster pace , although this could further depress wholesale prices.

Strikes targeting the whole of Asia

The pressure isn't limited to India . The U.S. Commerce Department has initiated administrative reviews of numerous suppliers, foreshadowing a broader crackdown on Asia .

• India : 394 companies

• Vietnam : 299 companies

• Thailand : 199 companies

• China : 199 companies

As the 2026 trade season progresses, the Asian shrimp industry remains on the defensive, grappling with a situation defined by aggressive U.S. protectionism and fierce competition from the Western Hemisphere .

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