Thai Vannamei Shrimp Prices 2026: Complete FOB Pricing by Grade and Size
Thailand remains one of the world's top five vannamei shrimp exporters, shipping frozen Litopenaeus vannamei to importers in the USA, Europe, Japan, and the Middle East. Whether you source HOSO (Head-On Shell-On), HLSO (Headless Shell-On), PD (Peeled & Deveined), or value-added products, understanding current FOB Bangkok pricing helps you plan purchases and negotiate effectively.
This guide provides 2026 reference pricing for frozen vannamei shrimp from Thailand by size, product form, and quality level, along with market trend analysis and sourcing tips.
2026 FOB Bangkok Pricing Reference: Frozen Vannamei Shrimp
All prices are USD per kilogram (kg), IQF frozen, HACCP-certified, from Thailand-licensed processing facility. Prices fluctuate with global supply-demand and Thai baht/USD exchange rate.
HOSO (Head-On Shell-On) — Raw IQF
- 21/25 count (per pound): $5.80–$6.40/kg
- 26/30 count: $5.20–$5.80/kg
- 31/40 count: $4.60–$5.20/kg
- 41/50 count: $4.00–$4.60/kg
- 51/60 count: $3.50–$4.00/kg
- 61/70 count: $3.00–$3.50/kg
HLSO (Headless Shell-On) — Raw IQF
- 16/20: $6.80–$7.60/kg
- 21/25: $6.20–$6.80/kg
- 26/30: $5.60–$6.20/kg
- 31/40: $4.80–$5.40/kg
- 41/50: $4.20–$4.80/kg
- 51/60: $3.60–$4.20/kg
PD (Peeled & Deveined) — Raw IQF
- 16/20: $8.00–$9.00/kg
- 21/25: $7.20–$8.00/kg
- 26/30: $6.40–$7.20/kg
- 31/40: $5.80–$6.40/kg
- 41/50: $5.20–$5.80/kg
PUD (Peeled Undeveined) — Raw IQF
Approx. $0.30–0.50/kg below equivalent PD grade — lower processing cost due to deveining step omitted.
PDTO (Peeled, Deveined, Tail-On) — Raw IQF
$0.20–0.40/kg premium above PD — retail presentation value. Popular for prawn cocktail and sushi markets.
Price Factors: What Drives Thai Vannamei Shrimp Pricing in 2026
1. Feed and Energy Costs
Shrimp aquafeed accounts for 40–60% of production cost. Global soybean meal, fishmeal, and energy prices directly impact Thai vannamei farming costs. 2026 has seen modest feed cost pressure compared to 2023–2024 peaks.
2. EMS and Disease Pressure
Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS/AHPND) and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) periodically reduce Thai shrimp supply, tightening availability and pushing prices up. Biosecure farms with higher survival rates maintain more stable pricing.
3. Global Competition from Ecuador and India
Ecuador (world's largest vannamei exporter) and India compete directly with Thailand on price. Thai shrimp typically trades at a $0.50–1.50/kg premium over Ecuadorian and Indian product due to superior processing quality, food safety certification standards, and market reputation — particularly in Japan, EU, and USA.
4. Seasonal Production Cycles
Thailand has two main shrimp production cycles. Peak harvest: May–August and October–December. During peak periods, supply is higher and prices soften slightly. Off-peak periods (February–April) may see 5–10% higher prices due to tighter supply.
Minimum Order Quantities and Container Loading
Standard purchasing unit for Thai frozen shrimp is one 20-foot refrigerated container (reefer):
- 20ft reefer capacity: 20–22 MT of IQF frozen shrimp
- Standard carton: 10 kg or 20 lb (9.072 kg) master carton
- 20ft container: approx. 2,000–2,200 cartons (10 kg each)
- Reefer temperature: −18°C or colder (−25°C for Japan market)
- LCL option: 1–5 MT available for first orders or trial shipments
Certifications Required for Key Markets
- USA: FDA facility registration, HACCP plan, SIMP compliance documentation for shrimp (catch/farm origin traceability)
- EU: EU approval number, HACCP, health certificate from Thailand Department of Fisheries (DoF)
- Japan: Residue monitoring certificate, specific antibiotic-free declarations (chloramphenicol, nitrofuran, oxytetracycline)
- Middle East (GCC): Halal certificate from recognized Islamic organization, Arabic labeling compliance
Request Current Vannamei Shrimp Pricing from Hanuman Seafood
Hanuman Seafood exports IQF frozen vannamei shrimp in HOSO, HLSO, PD, PDTO, and block frozen forms from our HACCP and BRC certified processing facility in Thailand. We supply to importers, distributors, and food manufacturers in 50+ countries. MOQ 1 reefer container (20 MT). Samples available.
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Related Resources for Shrimp Buyers
- Vannamei Shrimp Buying Guide: Sizes, Grades & Specifications — Complete technical guide: count per pound, product forms (HLSO, PD, PDTO), quality grading
- Frozen Shrimp Supplier Guide: Vannamei vs Black Tiger — Head-to-head species comparison for B2B importers including pricing, market fit, and availability
- How to Import Frozen Seafood: Complete Buyer's Guide 2026 — Regulations, documentation, cold chain, and supplier selection checklist
- Hanuman Seafood — Bulk Seafood Supplier Thailand — Certified export capabilities, certifications, and ambient seafood OEM manufacturing
- Vannamei Shrimp Products from Thailand — Full range in all grades and sizes, FOB Bangkok
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