Southern EU countries imported 332,000 metric tons of shrimp from outside the bloc in 2023, with Spain and France emerging as the dominant markets, according to an in-depth analysis by Shrimp Insights.

Spain imported 91,407t of vannamei shrimp in 2023, while France secured 100,351t, marking a 24% growth for both countries since 2018. Ecuador remains the primary supplier, supplying 77% of Spain's vannamei shrimp and 32% of France's imports.

Venezuela has become the second-largest supplier of vannamei to both markets, accounting for 9% of Spain's vannamei shrimp imports and 21% of France's in 2023, according to Shrimp Insights, nearly tripling its supplies to France since 2018. This market is now in turmoil after the Venezuelan government recently canceled export licenses for the country's biggest shrimp exporter, Lamar Group, under controversial circumstances. 

The southern EU region, comprising Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and Greece, represents Europe's largest shrimp market, with annual consumption reaching €5.5 billion. Spain leads with a €1.9bn market share, followed by France at €1.7bn.

Spain has established itself as "a regional trading hub, similar to the Netherlands and Belgium in the northwestern part of Europe," wrote Willem van der Pijl, founder of Shrimp Insights, noting Spain's substantial re-export volume of 40,000t to other EU members.

While Penaeus vannamei dominates the French market at 81% of total shrimp imports, Spain shows more diversity, with Argentinian red shrimp -- Pleoticus muelleri -- accounting for 30% of imports.