Hey there, fellow seafood lovers! As someone who’s spent years working with seafood suppliers and cooking up shrimp dishes, I’m here to break down everything you need to know about shrimp prices in 2024. Let’s dive right in!
Quick Answer
The cost of shrimp typically ranges from $4 to $25 per pound, depending on size, type, and whether it’s fresh or frozen. Here’s what you’ll usually pay at most stores:
- Frozen shrimp: $4-9 per pound
- Fresh shrimp: $10-18 per pound
- Wild-caught shrimp: $15-25+ per pound
- Farm-raised shrimp: $10-18 per pound
Shrimp Size & Price Breakdown
Here’s what you can expect to pay based on shrimp size
| Size Category | Count per Pound | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Colossal | Under 15 | $12-15/lb |
| Extra Jumbo | 16-20 | $9-12/lb |
| Jumbo | 21-25 | $8-11/lb |
| Extra Large | 26-30 | $7-10/lb |
| Large | 31-35 | $6-9/lb |
| Medium | 36-42 | $5-8/lb |
| Small | 43-50 | $3-6/lb |
What Affects Shrimp Prices?
1. Fresh vs. Frozen
- Fresh shrimp costs more but has better texture
- Frozen shrimp is cheaper and more convenient
- Fresh lasts 1-3 days
- Frozen can last 6-12 months
2. Wild-Caught vs. Farm-Raised
Wild-caught shrimp
- More expensive ($15-25+/lb)
- Better flavor
- Limited availability
Farm-raised shrimp
- More affordable ($10-18/lb)
- Consistent supply
- Less intense flavor
3. Processing Level
- Shell-on: Cheapest option
- Peeled & deveined: Costs 2-3x more
- Pre-cooked: Most expensive
Money-Saving Tips
- Buy frozen instead of fresh
- Look for bulk deals
- Choose medium-sized shrimp
- Watch for sales at wholesale clubs
- Buy raw, shell-on shrimp
- Consider farm-raised options
Best Places to Buy Shrimp
I’ve found these places usually offer the best deals:
- Costco
- Sam’s Club
- Local seafood markets
- Asian grocery stores
- Regular supermarkets (during sales)
Storage Tips to Protect Your Investment
Fresh shrimp:
- Keep on ice
- Store in coldest part of fridge
- Use within 1-3 days
Frozen shrimp:
- Store at 0°F or below
- Use within 6 months for best quality
- Thaw in fridge overnight
Real Talk: Is Expensive Shrimp Worth It?
In my experience, it really depends on what you’re cooking. For a fancy shrimp cocktail? Yeah, splurge on those jumbo wild-caught ones. Making a quick stir-fry? Medium-sized frozen shrimp will do just fine.
Final Thoughts
While shrimp prices might seem high, there’s usually an option for every budget. Just remember – bigger ain’t always better! Sometimes those medium-sized shrimp at $6-8 per pound are perfect for your recipe.
Pro Tip
If you’re near the Gulf Coast, check out local suppliers. For example, Biloxi Shrimp Co. offers Extra Jumbo 16/20 Headless Wild-Caught USA Shrimp for $20/lb with nationwide shipping. Pretty sweet deal for premium shrimp!
Would you like me to break down any specific aspect of shrimp pricing in more detail? Drop me a comment below!
Bringing the Taste of the Gulf to Your Kitchen
If you’re looking for extra jumbo headless shrimp in the shell, Biloxi Shrimp Co. has you covered – no matter where you live in the United States. Our wild-caught shrimp are processed in our facility on the Back Bay of Biloxi, Mississippi, and rigorously inspected for quality. They’re then quick individually frozen and prepared for delivery, using special packing materials.
Each pound of our extra jumbo headless shrimp contains 16 to 20 individual shrimp, depending on their weight. They are packaged in easy-to-store bags, saving you precious freezer space. Your shrimp will be frozen upon arrival – all you need to do is thaw them when you’re ready to cook and enjoy bringing authentic Gulf Coast shrimp into your home.
What Are Extra Jumbo Headless Shrimp?
Our extra jumbo headless shrimp are caught in the warm waters of the Gulf and South Atlantic, where they are able to grow naturally to their impressive size. The heads are then removed, leaving the shells and tails intact. Our extra jumbo headless shrimp are ideal for recipes that involve cooking in the shell.
HOW Many SHRIMP Are IN A POUND | WHAT Is The SHRIMP COUNT?
FAQ
How much is 1lb of shrimp?
What is the average price of shrimp?
Depending on the size of shrimp you are looking to buy, the average cost for one pound is between $10 to $16.
How many shrimps make 1 lb?
Jumbo shrimp: 13-25 shrimp per pound. Large shrimp: 26-35 shrimp per pound. Medium shrimp: 36-50 shrimp per pound. Small shrimp: 51-71 shrimp per pound.
How many pieces is 2 pounds of shrimp?
| Bag | Box |
|---|---|
| Approximately 2 Pound of shrimp in a bag. Approximately 32 to 42 pieces of shrimp. | Approximately 10 pound of shrimp per box. Approximately 160 to 210 piece of shrimp. |
How much does shrimp cost per pound?
Least expensive. In summary, larger shrimp sizes like colossal and jumbo will be $15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour)-25+ per pound, while smaller sizes like medium and small usually range $4-12 per pound. Beyond type and size, there are a few other factors that affect the cost of shrimp:
How much does shrimp cost at a restaurant?
Entrees with shrimp average $18 to $30 at most casual dining restaurants. While the shrimp itself may only cost a restaurant $10 per pound or less, labor, overhead, and profit margins boost the price considerably. Just know that cooking your own will save big bucks!
How many shrimp per pound?
A serving of tiny salad shrimp (71+ per pound) is close to 17+ shrimp, while a serving of Colossal (U/15) shrimp is 3 to 4 shrimp. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
How many Jumbo Shrimp are in a pound?
In a one-pound bag, you get anywhere from 21 to 30 jumbo shrimp. You get from 5-7 shrimp per 3oz serving and each individual shrimp weighs about half an ounce. What does a pound of shrimp cost? They are sold by graded size, the most common and popular being “10–20” which is about 15 shrimp per pound.
How much does frozen shrimp cost?
Though affordable, the quality is not as high as wild-caught. So in summary, mainstream grocery frozen shrimp runs $4-9/lb, fresh seafood costs $10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage)-18/lb, wild-caught averages $15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour)-25+/lb, and farmed is $10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage)-18/lb.
How do you cook one pound of shrimp?
To cook one pound of shrimp, keep each shrimp in its natural ‘C’ shape and spear it vertically through the center, from the tail to the top. Our Raw, Peeled and Deveined Shrimp, with 26 to 30 shrimp per pound, are ideal for this. They are the perfect size for stir fries and other dry-heat cooking techniques and can be quickly simmered in sauce.