MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission determined that India, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Vietnam are hurting the U.S. industry when it comes to importing frozen warm water shrimp.
According to a press release from USITC, the U.S. industry is “materially injured” because shrimp from the big suppliers are sold in the United States at less than fair value, and imports are subsidized by the governments of Ecuador, India, and Vietnam.
This means cheaper shrimp for U.S. consumers, but an endless uphill battle for local shrimpers who have to compete.
While this tariff might help local shrimpers, Ted Hammerman, the owner of Mr. Fish Seafood Market in Myrtle Beach, said this will hurt everyone.
“People are complaining about grocery prices and raw material prices, you know it filters down into everything. If someone wants a shrimp salad it’s going to go up about 25%,” said Ted Hammerman.
Hammerman said he had many friends who were shrimpers, but the industry is not what it used to be.
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He explained, “They still can only produce what they can produce, and every year there are fewer and fewer in the business too. It’s not like the resources are like they were 30 years ago.”
Hammerman said he will always purchase locally if he can, but said sometimes it’s impossible to.
He said, “Local would be great if it could fulfill the demand and the demand outweighs the supply when it comes to local shrimp.”
He said his prices will go up on imported shrimp, and the price for frozen shrimp you buy at grocery stores will go up as well.
It is unclear how much the tariffs will cause prices of shrimp to go up, but should have a better idea about price increases when a final report is released by the International Trade Commission next month.
