Mexico Secures 93% Rating for Shrimp Exports to US

Mexico achieved a 93% comparability rating for shrimp exports to the United States after meeting sustainability requirements aimed at preventing the incidental capture of protected marine species, according to the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA).

CONAPESCA reported the result following a verification visit by personnel from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States Department of State. The inspection, conducted from Feb. 20 to March 6, reviewed compliance with requirements related to the construction and proper use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and Fish Excluder Devices (FEDs) in shrimp fishing vessels.

Each year, the US Department of State publishes in the Federal Register a list of countries authorized to export shrimp to the US market, based on their compliance with programs that ensure measures to reduce the incidental capture of sea turtles. According to CONAPESCA, Mexico’s result confirms the sustainability standards of its shrimp fishery and supports continued access to the US market.

To strengthen compliance, CONAPESCA operates a training and awareness program on the construction, installation and operation of Turtle Excluder Devices and Fish Excluder Devices. The initiative aims to improve technical capabilities among net manufacturers and crews working in the offshore shrimp fishery.

The evaluation took place in the states of Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Campeche, where authorities verified the implementation of equipment designed to prevent the bycatch of sea turtles and other species. During 2025, 74 net manufacturers and 1,227 crew members from the shrimp fishery participated in training workshops on the correct construction and use of TEDs and FEDs. Participants came from the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, Sonora and Veracruz.

CONAPESCA said promoting responsible shrimp harvesting while protecting marine biodiversity remains a priority, recognizing the shrimp fishing sector for its efforts to strengthen sustainability practices in the industry.

Mexico’s Shrimp Industry: Production, Markets and Challenges

Mexico’s shrimp season for 2025 officially began Sept. 19 in lagoon systems and Sept. 29 in marine waters and concluded March 3, 2026, reported Rigoberto Salgado, Commissioner, National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA). National shrimp production is concentrated mainly in Sinaloa, the Upper Gulf of California, Baja California, Sonora and Nayarit. Salgado said the country is largely self-sufficient in shrimp production, although imports from Central America complement supply in some market segments, while exports serve international demand.

Sinaloa has remained Mexico’s shrimp production hub since the first shrimp farm was established there in 1977 and accounts for 46.64% of national production, according to CONAPESA. Together with Sonora, the two states concentrate 86.9% of total shrimp production in the country. In 2024, Sinaloa produced 120,610 t, followed by Sonora with 103,984t and Nayarit with 10,342t.

Aquaculture represents the largest share of output. In 2024, shrimp aquaculture production reached 215,964t, compared with 42,614t from capture fisheries. In Sinaloa alone, there are 907 aquaculture production units dedicated to crustaceans, equivalent to 7,304 cultivation ponds operating under extensive, semi-intensive, intensive and hyperintensive systems.

Overall, shrimp production in Mexico has grown by an average of 2.19% over the past decade, positioning the country among the main producers in the Americas. The United States remains the primary international destination for Mexican shrimp exports. In 2024, Mexico exported 10,536t of shrimp valued at about US$112 million, with 9,776t, or 93%, shipped to the United States.

Domestic consumption is strongest in the coastal state of Sinaloa, particularly in Mazatlán, where shrimp is a staple of local cuisine. Major inland markets include Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, especially in the restaurant sector. Large and jumbo shrimp are the most requested by restaurants, while smaller sizes are widely consumed in seafood eateries and other market segments.

Despite its economic importance, the shrimp sector faces several challenges, including illegal fishing, rising fuel costs, climate change and increasing international competition. Wild shrimp catches have also declined in recent years. Production dropped from 36,438t in 2021 to 26,400t in 2022 and 23,295t in 2023, according to fisheries statistics. Fishers say illegal fishing during closed seasons reduces the availability of larger shrimp sizes once the legal season begins, affecting prices and competitiveness in domestic and export markets.