Frozen Shrimp Buyer Guide: Sizes, Grades & Specifications
Everything importers need to know about frozen shrimp — vannamei vs black tiger, size counts, glazing, product forms, and how to read a shrimp spec sheet.
Frozen shrimp is the world's most traded seafood commodity. Thailand is one of the top three exporters globally, shipping primarily vannamei (white leg shrimp) and black tiger shrimp to markets in the US, EU, Japan, Australia, and across Asia and the Middle East. Whether you are a first-time importer or an experienced buyer looking to diversify your supplier base, this guide explains every specification you will encounter when buying frozen shrimp.
Vannamei vs Black Tiger Shrimp: Which Should You Buy?
| Attribute | Vannamei (White Leg) | Black Tiger |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Litopenaeus vannamei | Penaeus monodon |
| Origin | Farmed (aquaculture) | Farmed & wild-catch |
| Size range | 8/12 to 300/500 | 4/6 to 26/30 |
| Flavour | Mild, slightly sweet | Rich, briny, stronger |
| Texture | Firm, tender | Firmer, meatier |
| Availability | Year-round, consistent | Seasonal, more limited |
| Price (FOB Bangkok) | $3.50–$8.00/kg | $5.00–$14.00/kg |
| Most popular market | US, EU, Japan, Middle East | Japan, EU, premium retail |
| Certifications common | ASC, BAP, GlobalGAP | ASC, BAP |
Recommendation for new importers: Start with vannamei. It is the most traded species globally, has consistent supply year-round, and meets the certification requirements of virtually every import market. Black tiger commands a premium and suits buyers serving higher-end foodservice or retail segments.
Vannamei vs Black Tiger Shrimp — Buyer Channel Summary
Vannamei (L. vannamei, Pacific white shrimp) is farmed, lower cost, available year-round, mild flavor, firm texture. Black Tiger (P. monodon) is wild-caught + farmed, higher cost, intense flavor, larger size, dramatic striped raw shell. For foodservice bulk orders: vannamei is preferred for cost efficiency and consistent sizing across high-throughput kitchen programs. For premium retail: black tiger commands a 30–50% premium and delivers a premium plate appearance.
Both species are available for private label shrimp programs — IQF or block frozen, in your brand's retail or foodservice packaging, with MOQ from 1 x 20ft container. Hanuman Seafood supplies both vannamei and black tiger under your brand with BRC, HACCP, BAP, and FDA certification.
Understanding Shrimp Size Counts
Shrimp sizes are expressed as the number of pieces per pound (e.g., "21/25" means 21 to 25 shrimp per pound). Smaller numbers mean larger shrimp — and higher prices. For metric markets, sizes are also expressed in pieces per kilogram.
| Count (per lb) | Metric (~per kg) | Trade Name | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/12 | 17–26/kg | Colossal | Premium restaurant, whole presentation |
| 13/15 | 28–33/kg | Extra Jumbo | High-end foodservice, sushi |
| 16/20 | 35–44/kg | Jumbo | Restaurant, steak houses |
| 21/25 | 46–55/kg | Extra Large | Foodservice, retail, most popular |
| 26/30 | 57–66/kg | Large | Retail packs, stir-fry, tempura |
| 31/40 | 68–88/kg | Medium Large | Retail, food manufacturing |
| 41/50 | 90–110/kg | Medium | Breading, value-add processing |
| 51/60 | 112–132/kg | Small | Salads, dim sum, spring rolls |
| 61/70 | 134–154/kg | Extra Small | Soups, pasta, canned product |
| 100/200 | 220–440/kg | Tiny | Processing, fish paste |
Tip: 21/25 and 26/30 are the most liquid sizes for both retail and foodservice — easier to source and resell. If you are new to shrimp importing, start with these sizes before moving to colossal or tiny counts.
IQF vs Block Frozen: Which Product Form to Order
IQF (Individually Quick Frozen)
Each shrimp is frozen individually before packaging. Best for buyers who need portion control or sell individual pieces.
- Easier to portion — take out exactly what you need
- Better visual quality — no ice clumping
- Higher price per kg
- Better for retail packs and foodservice
- Faster thaw time
Block Frozen
Shrimp frozen together in a solid block with water or glaze. More economical — best for food processing where size uniformity and individual pieces are less critical.
- Lower price per kg
- Good for further processing and manufacturing
- Longer shelf life if properly glazed
- Requires thawing entire block at once
- Common in 2 kg or 5 lb block sizes
Glazing: What It Is and Why It Matters
Glazing is a thin coating of ice applied to frozen shrimp to prevent freezer burn and oxidation. The glazing percentage is the proportion of the total product weight that is water — so a 10% glaze on a 1 kg pack means you receive 900g of actual shrimp.
| Glazing Level | Market / Regulation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0% (no glaze) | Premium dry packs | Rare — higher price, shorter shelf life |
| 5–10% | Japan, premium EU retail | Standard for high-value markets |
| 15–20% | US, mainstream EU, Australia | Most common; buyer pays for shrimp net weight |
| 25–30% | Industrial / processing use | Must be declared; buyers should verify |
| 40%+ | Non-standard | Consider fraudulent unless clearly contracted |
Always specify glaze % in your purchase contract and verify via net weight declaration on the label. The EU requires glaze % to be declared on all frozen fishery products.
How to Read a Shrimp Specification Sheet
A product spec sheet (or Product Data Sheet / PDS) defines exactly what you are buying. Here are the key fields and what to look for:
Ready to Source Frozen Shrimp from Thailand?
Hanuman Seafood exports vannamei and black tiger shrimp in all forms, sizes, and packaging — HACCP, BRC, ASC certified, with EU approval and FDA registration. MOQ 1 × 20ft reefer container.
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