Grey shrimp prices drop sharply due to better catches

The problems in the supply of grey shrimp are completely behind us, resulting in a sharp drop in prices compared to a few months ago. The price of peeled shrimp has decreased from 100 to 60 euros per kilogram, reported Steven Timmermans, manager of fish wholesaler Alfa Fish.

Prices had risen sharply in the spring due to extremely poor catches and, consequently, very limited availability. In mid-May, it already became known that the great shortage was over, and now the problems seem to be completely gone.

"A lot of shrimp are being caught again - more than 4,000 kg per vessel compared to less than 1,000 kg per vessel a few months ago," Timmermans said. "The cause is not scientifically proven but fishers talk about more food in the water on the one hand thanks to a lot of spring rainfall and on the other hand about fewer enemies in the sea.” Large schools of young whiting, which prey on shrimp, were cited as one of the causes of the scarcity in spring.

The result is clear: the end-consumer price of peeled shrimp has dropped from €100 per kg a few months ago to €60 per kilogram today. The price of unpeeled shrimp fell from €40 to €25 per kg.

Timmermans expects the price to fall further. "However, it is not clear to which level we will evolve. Nature cannot be predicted," he added.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Woman selling fish and shrimps at fish market, Ostend, Belgium © BELGA PHOTO ARTERRA}