The cost of shrimp varies significantly based on several factors Let me break down current shrimp prices and help you understand what affects them,
Quick Price Overview
- Colossal (U/15): $17-25+ per pound
- Extra Jumbo (16/20): $14-20 per pound
- Jumbo (21/25): $12-16 per pound
- Large (31/40): $9-12 per pound
- Medium (41/50): $7-11 per pound
- Small (51/60): $5-9 per pound
What Affects Shrimp Prices?
Size Matters
The bigger the shrimp, the more expensive they are Those numbers like “16/20” or “31/40” tell you how many shrimp you get per pound. Lower numbers mean bigger shrimp and higher prices
Wild vs Farmed
- Wild-caught shrimp: More expensive, prices fluctuate with seasons
- Farmed shrimp: More affordable, steadier prices year-round
Processing Type
- Raw, shell-on: Best value
- Peeled and deveined: Costs more
- Pre-cooked: Adds $1-4 per pound to base price
Best Times to Buy Shrimp
Lowest Prices
- August through November
- Holiday sales (Thanksgiving, Christmas)
Highest Prices
- April through June
- Early summer months
Money-Saving Tips
- Buy frozen instead of fresh
- Watch for sales at big box stores
- Choose medium or large sizes over jumbo
- Buy shell-on and prep yourself
- Purchase in bulk during low-price seasons
How Much to Buy?
Per person serving guide:
- Appetizers: 1/4 pound
- Main dish: 1/3 pound
- Shell-on shrimp: Add 15% more
I’ve found that buying 2-pound bags usually gives the best value. For my family of four, this works perfect for dinner with some leftovers.
Storage Tips
- Raw shell-on: 6-9 months frozen
- Cooked shrimp: 2-3 months frozen
- Fresh shrimp: Use within 2 days
- Thawed shrimp: Eat within 24 hours
Remember prices can vary by region and season. At my local store I usually pay around $12/pound for large shrimp, but your prices might be different. Always check multiple stores and don’t forget to look at frozen options – they’re often cheaper and just as good!
Need to feed a crowd? For 10 people, you’ll want about 3-4 pounds for a main course. Trust me, it’s better to have a little extra than not enough – leftover shrimp makes amazing salad the next day!
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HOW Many SHRIMP Are IN A POUND | WHAT Is The SHRIMP COUNT?
FAQ
How many shrimps equal 1 pound?
Medium shrimp run anywhere from 41 to 60 shrimp per one-pound bag. This is about 10 to 15 shrimp per 3 oz serving and 0.23 oz per shrimp. Large shrimp are about 31 to 40 shrimp per pound making for about 8 or 9 shrimp per serving.
Is 1 pound of shrimp enough for 2 people?
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. |
Is 1lb of shrimp a lot?
If you’re buying unpeeled raw shrimp, account for the weight lost once the head and shells are removed and purchase about 1/2 lb to 1lb of shrimp per person. If buying peeled and deveined, tail-off shrimp, you can buy 1/3 lb per person to ensure a 3oz serving after the product is cooked.
How many shrimp are in a pound?
The smaller the count, the larger the shrimp. For example, our 8-12 count colossal shrimp include about 8 to 12 shrimp per pound. P & D’s: Peeled and deveined shrimp are shrimp with the shell as well as the digestive tract (also known as the sand vein) already removed. Green Headless: In the trade, this term refers to shrimp sold without the head.
How much 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. You’d pay about $6 -8 US per pound for shrimp this size at present; we are spoiled here! How many is 2 pounds of shrimp? When reading shrimp package labels, you’ll see numbers like 16/20 or 16-20 count.
How much do shrimp & prawns cost?
Yet another popular but costly option is that of raw jumbo shrimps with or without the shell. They range from 6 to 20 pieces per pound in most commercial packages. They cost between $19.9 and $24.99 per pound but their prices can hit $29.99 during scarcity. See updated July 2025 prices for US Shrimps & Prawns per kilogram (Kg) and per pound (lb).
How much does a pound of shrimp cost at Eaton Street?
You can find huge shrimp at Eaton Street. These are fresh 16/20 count and 21/25 count shrimp, and they all cost about $20 a pound. That’s not a sale price; that’s our regular price! And yes, these are fresh Gulf shrimp, just pulled from the water and dropped off by one of our many local fishermen partners who bring us fresh seafood.
How much does frozen shrimp cost in US?
As such, they increase the market price of shrimp in US by at least 5 cents. In March 2025, a cooked frozen shrimp without a tail on Walmart cost between $0.45 and $0.57 per oz ($7.2-9.12 per pound). You will find that size determines a sizable portion of the market price of shrimp in US.
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!