Fresh shrimp imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
The United Arab Emirates imported $19.4 million of fresh shrimp in 2024 (2.5 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 6th largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 153 countries. Value rose 16% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 30% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $19.4M | 2.5K t |
| 2023 | $16.8M | 4.6K t |
| 2022 | $11.3M | 4.0K t |
| 2021 | $8.5M | 5.7K t |
| 2020 | $13.0M | 8.9K t |
| 2019 | $12.0M | 3.9K t |
| 2018 | $8.5M | 3.5K t |
| 2017 | $3.0M | 470 t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports fresh shrimp from
One supplier dominates: India accounted for 87% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Sri Lanka grew fastest (+161% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $16.8M | 87% |
| Sri Lanka | $2.3M | 12% |
| Indonesia | $115K | 0.6% |
| Thailand | $31K | 0.2% |
| Portugal | $21K | 0.1% |
| Singapore | $16K | 0.1% |
| Spain | $16K | 0.1% |
| Taiwan | $15K | 0.1% |
| Netherlands | $14K | 0.1% |
| Philippines | $8K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.72 per kg, close to the world average of $7.35.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Fresh shrimp exports from the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates exported $968 thousand of fresh shrimp in 2024 (104 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Egypt accounted for 91% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Kuwait grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates fresh shrimp imports (HS 0306.36): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0306.36: Crustaceans: live, fresh or chilled, shrimps and prawns excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not.
Common questions
What is the value of fresh shrimp imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported fresh shrimp worth $19.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 6th of 153 countries worldwide, with 4% of world imports. The value was up 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply fresh shrimp to the United Arab Emirates?
India was the largest supplier with 87% of the value ($16.8 million), followed by Sri Lanka (12%) and Indonesia (1%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 15 supplier countries in total. Sri Lanka grew fastest among the top ten, up 161% on the year.
What is the average import price of fresh shrimp per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.72 per kg in 2024, 5% above the world average of $7.35 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of fresh shrimp to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.0 million in 2017 to $19.4 million in 2024, an increase of 543%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $11.6 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export fresh shrimp?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $968 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Egypt, Kuwait and Bahrain. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $18.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for fresh shrimp?
The HS code for fresh shrimp is subheading 0306.36. It sits in HS chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0306 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds the United Arab Emirates trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
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