Shrimp Trade Dispute: Chronology
CRS Report for Congress
Shrimp Trade Dispute: Chronology
Eugene H. Buck
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy
Resources, Science, and Industry Division
Summary
In 2003, elements of the U.S. shrimp industry became increasingly concerned by
what they believed to be unfair pricing practices for warm-water shrimp exported by six
countries: Brazil, China, Ecuador, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. An ad hoc committee
of shrimp boat owners and shrimp processors filed antidumping petitions in late 2003.
This action is opposed by U.S. seafood distributors, retailers, restaurateurs, and others
involved in shrimp processing and marketing, as well as by the targeted exporting
countries. Final determinations of antidumping duty investigations were announced by
the Department of Commerce, and antidumping orders were issued in late January 2005.
This report will be updated as the issue evolves.
In 2003, elements of the U.S. shrimp industry became increasingly concerned by
what they believed to be unfair pricing of warm-water shrimp (primarily farm-raised)1
exported by six countries — Brazil, China, Ecuador, India, Thailand, and Vietnam —
claiming that this situation caused the loss of thousands of U.S. jobs and forced hundreds2
of U.S. companies to close. In 2003, more than 88% of the 1.7 billion pound U.S. shrimp
supply was derived from imported product,3 with 74% of these imports from the six4
targeted countries. An ad hoc committee of shrimp boat owners and shrimp processors
filed antidumping petitions on December 31, 2003. This action is opposed by U.S.
1 General background on shrimp farming and associated environmental concerns can be seen at
[http://www.enaca.org/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=19], viewed on Mar. 22, 2004.
As a specific example, a detailed discussion of shrimp farming practices in Thailand can be seen
at [http://www.aciar.gov.au/web.nsf/doc/ACIA-5MQ4AU/$file/TR%2047.pdf], viewed on Mar.
22, 2004. Harvesting of wild shrimp also has associated environmental concerns, including
substantial bycatch; for a discussion of these concerns, see [http://galveston.ssp.nmfs.gov/
publications/pdf/235.pdf], visited Aug. 2, 2004.
2 See [http://www.shrimpalliance.com/Press%20Releases/Filing%20Press%20Release.pdf],
visited on Mar. 19, 2004.
3 U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine
Fisheries Service, Fisheries of the United States, 2003 (Washington, DC: Oct. 2004), p. 82.
4 Ibid., p. 66.
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress
seafood distributors,5 retailers, restaurateurs, and other businesses involved in shrimp
processing and marketing, as well as by the targeted exporting countries, who claim that
(1) imported shrimp support about 100,000 jobs in the U.S. domestic processing sector
and provide additional incomes estimated at more than $2 billion annually to U.S.
retailers and restaurants, (2) the price U.S. seafood consumers pay for shrimp would
increase significantly if the supply of inexpensive imported shrimp is curtailed, and (3)
U.S. commercial shrimp harvesters lack competitiveness due to high costs of production,
which cannot be alleviated by taxing imports. Antidumping proponents countercharge
that U.S. seafood distributors and marketers make excessive profits from low-cost
imported shrimp and do not pass substantial savings on to consumers.
Antidumping investigations are not simple accounting exercises. When the
Department of Commerce exercises its considerable flexibility to select the data and
design methodologies to make the antidumping calculations,6 it makes international
economic policy choices for the U.S. government. The U.S. government has very broad
discretion in calculating cost and price of shrimp exports from the six countries, including
cost and price definitions and comparisons that will affect any dumping margins.
Opponents of the petitions seek assurances that these exercises of discretion will be
transparent and subject to review and oversight, claiming that too much is at stake, both
here and abroad, for these choices to be made without public scrutiny.7 A preliminary
economic analysis of the impact of shrimp imports on U.S. industry is provided in Certain
Frozen and Canned Warmwater Shrimp and Prawns from Brazil, China, Ecuador, India,
Thailand, and Vietnam (Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1063-1068 (Preliminary), USITC
Publication 3672), released on March 16, 2004.
The following chronology follows the development of this issue. Key references are
identified in footnotes by links to where they may be viewed, with care taken to select
those resources that may be least transient. Full citations are not provided to these
footnoted documents because of the lengthy organizations and titles.
Chronology
08/06/2003 — Board of the Louisiana Shrimp Association unanimously votes to
pursue shrimp trade remedy actions, including antidumping and
countervailing duty petitions, against foreign shrimp imports.
08/22/2003 — American Shrimp Processors Association votes to support antidumping
and countervailing duty petitions against imported shrimp products.
5 See [http://www.freetradeinseafood.org/news/press11.htm], visited on Mar. 19, 2004.
6 For example, the Department of Commerce adopted the suggestion of petitioners’ lawyers that
it collect data to compare the prices of peeled vs. shell-on shrimp. Opponents of the petitions
suggest this approach compares dissimilar products, when sales of identical products are
available for comparison, and results in dumping margins where none really exist.
7 US-ASEAN Business Council, Inc., Shrimp Antidumping Cases Threaten a Major Economic
Sector in the Targeted Developing Countries, undated, 2 p.
11/10/2003 — Louisiana Governor Mike Foster reportedly pledges $600,000 in state
funding if an antidumping petition is filed by December 15, 2004.8
12/18/2003 — Southern Shrimp Alliance and the National Chamber of Fishing and
Aquaculture Industries of Mexico issue a joint statement, announcing
cooperation to oppose unfair shrimp trade.9
12/31/2003 — Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Action Committee, an ad hoc committee of boat
owners and shrimp processors, files six antidumping petitions with the
International Trade Commission (ITC) and the Department of
Commerce (DOC).10
01/08/2004 — ITC publishes a Federal Register notice that preliminary antidumping
investigations are being initiated for frozen and canned warmwater
shrimp and prawns from six countries.11
01/12/2004 — Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, certifies
a petition for trade adjustment assistance for Alabama shrimpers, based
on a determination that increased imports of farmed shrimp contributed
to a decline in the domestic price of shrimp during 2002.12
01/16/2004 — Louisiana Shrimp Association files a document with the DOC opposing
the antidumping petitions “as currently drafted,” arguing that the DOC
should treat fresh shrimp as the same “like product” as frozen shrimp.
01/21/2004 — DOC announces that the petitions of the Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Action
Committee meet statutory requirements and that antidumping
investigations are being initiated.13 The DOC subsequently publishes
a Federal Register notice of this action.14
8 See [http://www.usvtc.org/shrimp%20article%201.pdf], visited on Mar. 19, 2004.
9 See [http://www.shrimpalliance.com/Press%20Releases/Mexico%20Support.pdf], visited on
Mar. 19, 2004.
10 See [http://www.shrimpalliance.com/Press%20Releases/Filing%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf], visited
on Mar. 19, 2004.
11 69 Fed. Reg. 1301-1302, Jan. 8, 2004.
12 69 Fed. Reg. 1695, Jan. 12, 2004.
13 See [http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/FactSheet/0104/shrimp_012104.html], visited on Mar. 19,
14 69 Fed. Reg. 3876-3883, Jan. 27, 2004.
15 See [http://www.usitc.gov/er/wl/wl1_0119.pdf], visited on Mar. 19, 2004.
02/10/2004 — National Shrimp Industry Association, representing major U.S. shrimp
processors and importers, announces that it will join the American
Seafood Distributors Association in opposing the petitions.16
industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by
imports of certain frozen and canned warmwater shrimp and prawns
from Brazil, China, Ecuador, India, Thailand, and Vietnam that are
allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair market value.17 The
ITC subsequently publishes a Federal Register notice of this action.18
03/16/2004 — ITC releases Certain Frozen and Canned Warmwater Shrimp and
Prawns from Brazil, China, Ecuador, India, Thailand, and Vietnam
(Invest. No. 731-TA-1063-1068 (Prelim.), USITC Publication 3672).19
restaurants, grocers, seafood distributors and processors) announces its
opposition to the shrimp antidumping action.20
04/05/2004 — Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, certifies
petitions for trade adjustment assistance for Florida and North Carolina
shrimpers and Arizona shrimp producers, based on a determination that
increased imports of farmed shrimp contributed to a decline in the
domestic price of shrimp.21
04/05/2004 — After shrimp exports to the Australian market surge, ABC News reports
that Australia is investigating the possibilities of launching an
independent trade action against shrimp exporting nations and filing an
amicus brief in support of U.S. action.
04/09/2004 — National Restaurant Association announces its opposition to the shrimp
antidumping petitions.22
04/13/2004 — After this date, shrimp imported to the United States from China and/or
Vietnam could be subject to retroactive tariffs, if the decision on their
petition is affirmative.
04/14/2004 — DOC reports that more than 134 million pounds of shrimp were
imported by the United States in February 2004, nearly double the
16 See [http://www.freetradeinseafood.org/news/press14.htm], visited on Mar. 19, 2004.
17 See [http://www.usitc.gov/er/nl2004/ER0217bb1.HTM], visited on Mar. 19, 2004.
18 69 Fed. Reg. 9842, Mar. 2, 2004.
19 See [ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/opinions/PUB3672.PDF], visited on Mar. 19, 2004.
20 See [http://www.citac.info/shrimp/press_releases/2004/04_01.htm], visited on Apr. 22, 2004.
21 69 Fed. Reg. 17637-17638, Apr. 5, 2004.
22 See [http://www.restaurant.org/news/story.cfm?ID=192], visited Apr. 26, 2004.
amount for February 2003, as shrimp-exporting nations seek to ship
inventory prior to the time they could face potential tariff liability under
the pending antidumping petitions.
04/20/2004 — Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen launches campaign to inform
consumers on “health effects and social concerns of farmed shrimp.”23
asking for a ruling on whether LSA members are eligible for any
monetary proceeds that may result from the antidumping petitions.
Ecuador, Thailand, and/or India could be subject to retroactive tariffs,
if the decision on their petition is affirmative.
05/07/2004 — Thirteen Members of Congress send a letter to the Secretary of
Commerce calling for efforts to assure a fair, rational, and objective
process and urging consideration of a 50-day extension on the
preliminary determination of any antidumping duties.24
05/14/2004 — Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco authorizes the transfer of
$350,000 to the Southern Shrimp Alliance to help pay legal expenses
for the antidumping proceedings.
05/19/2004 — Noting the extraordinarily complicated nature of the proceedings, DOC
announces that it will delay a preliminary determination on antidumping
duties until July 2 for China and Vietnam, and until July 28 for Brazil,
Ecuador, Thailand, and India.
05/19/2004 — Citing a surge in shrimp imports from China, Thailand, India, and
Vietnam, the Southern Shrimp Alliance files a critical circumstances
petition with the DOC, requesting retroactive duties on these imports.
Estimated dumping margins range from 7.67% to 112.81% for China,
and from 12.11% to 93.13% for Vietnam.25
Thailand, and India. The estimated dumping margins range from 0.00%
23 See [http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=1692], visited on Apr. 26, 2004.
24 See [http://www.citac.info/shrimp/doc/to_evans_doc_050704.pdf], visited on May 26, 2004.
25 See [http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-nme-shrimp-prelim-revised-070704.
pdf], visited Aug. 3, 2004. See also 69 Fed. Reg. 42654-42672, July 16, 2004 (China) and 69
Fed. Reg. 42672-42687, July 16, 2004 (Vietnam).
to 67.80% for Brazil, from 6.08% to 9.35% for Ecuador, from 3.56% to
08/24/2004 — DOC announces amendments to the preliminary determinations for
Brazil, China, and Vietnam to correct for ministerial errors.27
11/30/2004 — DOC announces its final determinations for China and Vietnam. The
dumping margins range from 27.89% to 112.81% for China, and from
and India. The dumping margins range from 9.69% to 67.80% for
Brazil, from 2.35% to 4.48% for Ecuador, from 5.02% to 13.42% for
India, and from 5.79% to 6.82% for Thailand.29
01/06/2005 — ITC announces affirmative final determinations for non-canned
warmwater shrimp and prawns from all six countries.30
01/26/2005 — DOC issues antidumping orders for all six countries. The amended
final dumping margins range from 27.89% to 112.81% for China, from
4.30% to 25.76% for Vietnam, from 4.97% to 67.80% for Brazil, from
2.48% to 4.42% for Ecuador, from 4.94% to 15.36% for India, and from
26 See [http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-shrimp-prelim-brz-ecu-ind-thai-072804
.pdf], visited Aug. 3, 2004. See also 69 Fed. Reg. 47081-47091, Aug. 4, 2004 (Brazil), 69 Fed.
Reg. 47091-47100, Aug. 4, 2004 (Ecuador), 69 Fed. Reg. 47111-47120, Aug. 4, 2004 (India), and
27 See [http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-brazil-prc-vietnam-shrimp-amended-
prelim-ad-082504.pdf], visited Jan. 10, 2005. See also 69 Fed. Reg. 52860-52862, Aug. 30, 2004
(Brazil), 69 Fed. Reg. 53409-53411, Sept. 1, 2004 (China), and 69 Fed. Reg. 53411-53413, Sept.
28 See [http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-prc-vietnam-shrimp-final-113004.pdf],
visited Jan. 10, 2005. See also the DOC’s decision memos on China [http://ia.ita.doc.gov/frn/
summary/prc/04-26976-1.pdf] and Vietnam [http://ia.ita.doc.gov/frn/summary/vietnam/
29 See [http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-shrimp-brazil-ecuador-india-thailand-
69 Fed. Reg. 76913-76916, Dec. 23, 2004 (Ecuador), 69 Fed. Reg. 76916-76918, Dec. 23, 2004
(India), and 69 Fed. Reg. 76918-76920, Dec. 23, 2004 (Thailand).
30 See [http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2005/er0106cc1_corrected.htm], visited
Jan. 27, 2005.
31 See [http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-shrimp-brazil-ecuador-india-thailand-
prc-vietnam-amended-final-012505.pdf], visited Jan. 27, 2005.