Frozen Mantis Shrimp Export Guide: 5 Species, Grades & FOB Pricing 2026 — Thailand Supplier

What Are Mantis Shrimp?

Mantis shrimp (Order Stomatopoda) are not true shrimp but are crustaceans prized in Asian seafood markets for their sweet, firm flesh and distinctive flavor, often compared to a combination of crab and shrimp. Despite their common name, they are more closely related to crabs than to true shrimp (Order Decapoda). They inhabit tropical and subtropical coastal waters across the Indo-Pacific and are commercially harvested by trawl, trap, and hand collection in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Bangladesh.

International demand for frozen mantis shrimp is growing, driven by strong consumption in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the broader Asian diaspora market globally. Thailand is one of the primary export sources, with Hanuman Seafood supplying frozen mantis shrimp in multiple product forms to importers in Asia, the Middle East, and specialty seafood markets in Europe and North America.

Commercial Species of Mantis Shrimp

Several mantis shrimp species are commercially harvested and exported from Thailand. Species identification matters because they differ significantly in size, meat yield, and market value:

Product Forms and Processing

Whole Round Frozen (WRTF)

The most common export form. Mantis shrimp are frozen whole immediately after harvest or brief chilling, in IQF or block-frozen format. Whole round is preferred by buyers who sell to markets where the full visual presentation of the animal is important — particularly Hong Kong wet markets, Chinese restaurants, and Vietnamese seafood retailers. Shell-on whole mantis shrimp are also preferred for steaming preparations where the shell contributes to flavor.

Headless, Shell-On

Head removed, body shell intact. This form improves yield efficiency for buyers who process or portion the product further, and reduces shipping weight of inedible parts. More common for larger species (Harpiosquilla) where the head represents a large proportion of total weight.

Tail / Body Section (Tail-On, Shell-On)

The tail section (last 5–6 body segments) with the shell intact, trimmed to expose the flesh for easy eating. Popular for food service and restaurant use where presentation and ease of eating are both required. This form commands the highest FOB price per kilogram due to processing labor.

IQF vs Block Frozen

IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) is preferred for retail and food service buyers who need individual portions without thawing a full block. Block frozen (typically 2 kg or 5 kg blocks) is preferred for buyers who process the product further and want to minimize glazing. Both formats are available from Hanuman Seafood.

Size Grading

Mantis shrimp are graded by piece count per kilogram or by length (cm), depending on the destination market convention. Chinese and Hong Kong buyers typically specify by count per kg. Japanese buyers specify by length (cm) or count per piece pack for sushi-grade shako.

FOB Thailand Pricing (2026)

Mantis shrimp prices are seasonal and supply-dependent. The peak harvest season in the Gulf of Thailand is October–April. Request a current quotation as prices can vary 20–30% between peak and off-peak supply periods.

Seasonality and Supply Considerations

Mantis shrimp are predominantly a wild-caught species with no significant commercial aquaculture base, making supply inherently seasonal and volume-limited compared to farmed shrimp. Key supply considerations for importers:

• Peak harvest season: October–April in the Gulf of Thailand. Supply is highest and prices lowest during this period.
• Off-season: May–September — limited supply, higher prices, longer lead times. Buyers requiring year-round supply should build inventory during peak season.
• Supply reliability: Unlike farmed species, wild-caught mantis shrimp volumes vary with weather, fishing effort, and regulatory fishing seasons. Annual volume commitments help secure allocation.
• Indonesia sourcing: Hanuman Seafood supplements Thai-sourced mantis shrimp with product from our Indonesian supply chain during Thai off-peak periods, supporting year-round supply continuity.

Certifications and Documentation

Frozen mantis shrimp exports from Thailand come with the following standard documentation:

• Health Certificate issued by Thailand Department of Fisheries
• Certificate of Origin (Form A or Form D for ASEAN preference)
• Commercial Invoice and Packing List with lot/batch numbers
• IUU catch documentation (wild-catch traceability certificate)
• Pre-shipment laboratory test report (microbiological, heavy metals, antibiotic residues) on request
• Halal Certificate available on request for MENA-destined shipments
• HACCP facility certification for all processing

How to Order Frozen Mantis Shrimp from Hanuman Seafood

To request a quotation, please specify: target species (or "mixed" if acceptable), product form (whole, headless, tail), size grade (count/kg), quantity (MT), packaging (IQF bag or block size), destination port, and required certifications. Contact our export team — we respond with pricing and availability within 24 hours, and can arrange samples for qualified buyers prior to commercial order placement.

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