Global White Shrimp Supply Chain Disrupted: Indonesia’s Nuclear Testing Requirement, Ecuador’s Unrest, China’s Pre-Holiday Price Hikes, and Market Differentiation

In the 41st week of 2025 (October 6–12), the global white shrimp supply chain was hit by multiple factors: Indonesia faced the U.S. FDA’s new radioactive testing requirement, Ecuador’s unrest disrupted supply, and China’s pre-holiday demand combined with typhoons pushed up prices, further intensifying market differentiation across countries.

Indonesia: Nuclear Testing Requirement Triggers Price Drops and Export Halts

The U.S. FDA announced that starting October 31, all Indonesian shrimp exported to the U.S. must pass testing for Cesium-137 (a radioactive isotope). Prior to this, Indonesian aquatic enterprise Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS) had been fully suspended from exports after trace amounts of Cesium-137 were detected in its containers.

In East Java, pond-side prices of white shrimp fell: 30-count shrimp dropped by 2,000 Indonesian rupiah per kg (approximately 0.12 USD), while 40-count shrimp fell by 1,000 Indonesian rupiah per kg. Processors held back from purchasing, reducing procurement volumes significantly; farmers couldn’t sell large-size shrimp and had to offload them at low prices. Due to confusion over the "October 31" deadline (meeting the arrival date requirement was nearly impossible given current testing and logistics cycles), exports from Java and Lampung—provinces contributing 99.9% of Indonesia’s shrimp exports to the U.S.—were completely halted.

Ecuador: Unrest Breaks Supply Chain, Shrimp Prices Differentiate by Size

Ecuador’s shrimp supply was disrupted by domestic unrest. After President Daniel Noboa announced cuts to diesel subsidies, large-scale protests erupted in 10 provinces, forcing the government to declare a state of emergency. During the chaos, feed transportation vehicles were blocked, and the transport link for fresh shrimp from ponds to processing plants was interrupted, leading processors to cut production.

Market prices showed clear size-based differentiation: demand for large-size shrimp remained stable, pushing up prices—20/30-count shrimp rose by 0.05 USD per kg, while 30/40-count and 40/50-count shrimp each increased by 0.10 USD per kg. In contrast, medium and small-size shrimp faced price pressure due to relatively sufficient supply, with 70/80-count and 80/100-count shrimp each falling by 0.10 USD per kg. Farmers struggled with feed shortages and rising costs.

China: Pre-Holiday Demand + Typhoons Drive Up Prices, Enterprises Advise Early Sales

Unlike Indonesia and Ecuador, China’s white shrimp market saw a price surge this week, becoming a key driver of global shrimp price increases. On one hand, the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays boosted stockpiling demand from catering and retail channels. On the other hand, typhoons "Tabba" and "Matmo" damaged greenhouse aquaculture areas in southern China, causing a shortage of large-size shrimp and pushing up prices due to supply-demand imbalance.

Regionally, Guangxi saw the most significant increase—60-count shrimp rose by 4 yuan per kg (approximately 0.56 USD). Major producing areas like Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Shandong also saw increases of 1–2 yuan per kg. Fearing post-holiday demand decline, Guangdong Haid Group advised farmers to "sell shrimp as soon as possible to avoid the risk of price drops later."

India, Vietnam, Thailand: Stable High Prices, Significant Global Differentiation

India’s Andhra Pradesh maintained stable shrimp prices; large-size shrimp retained a premium, while exporters waited for year-end tariff negotiation results. Vietnam raised prices for 30-count and 100-count shrimp, with large-size shrimp prices 22% higher than medium and small-size ones (a yearly high). Thailand’s shrimp prices remained flat at annual highs for weeks (60–80-count), with balanced supply and demand.

As of the 41st week, the UCN Global White Shrimp 60-count Average Price Index stood at 3.63 USD per kg (slightly lower than the same period last year), but regional gaps were notable: shrimp prices in China, Vietnam, and Thailand were about 30% higher than those in Indonesia, India, and Ecuador.

Uncertainties Remain Ahead

Indonesia’s export halt may continue if it fails to address the FDA’s testing requirement promptly. Ecuador’s unrest could further raise production costs. In China, post-holiday demand trends and potential typhoons will also directly impact prices. Amid multiple variables, global white shrimp supply chain disruptions may persist, and industry players need to guard against market volatility and adjust production and export strategies in a timely manner.