National Shrimp Day

The story

Shrimp has been a staple on dinner tables for thousands of years! Ancient Greeks and Romans enjoyed this shellfish, and today, shrimp is caught and shipped worldwide. Japan leads in shrimp consumption per capita, followed by the United States.

With over 2,000 species, shrimp vary in size and color. The most common varieties include Rock, Pink, Tiger, and White Shrimp. Historians believe French explorers in the 1700s encountered shrimping in Louisiana.

By the mid-1700s, Mobile, Alabama, became a seafood hub, with Mississippi following in the late 1800s. The beloved Southern shrimp boil likely developed around this time.

Meanwhile, Italian settlers in California began fishing for shrimp in the late 19th century. As harvesting and shipping improved, shrimp became a national favorite by the early 1900s. Today, shrimp is the most widely eaten crustacean in the U.S., celebrated through recipes, contests, and, of course, eating!

Shrimp can be wild-caught or farmed, with over 90% of U.S. shrimp imports being farmed. Available fresh or frozen, shrimp provide lean protein, iron, B12, selenium, and omega-3s. They are grilled, fried, boiled, or baked in dishes like jambalaya, gumbo, and paella.