Shrimp export- Shrimp Sizing

It is interesting to know that exported shrimps have different sizes and prices. Exported shrimps are provided in international markets based on the following:

  • Shrimps with heads or head-on
  • Shrimps without heads or head-less
  • Shrimps with veins but peeled or PUD
  • Shrimps without veins and peeled(ready- to- cook )or PD

 

Shrimp sizing- a number’s game

In global fishery and seafood industries, shrimps are sold based on the size. The numbers for each size provide very useful information that helps our dear customers at Joti Kala buy shrimps.

 

Shrimp Sizing- 30-40 shrimps

You may have noticed that certain terms such as ”30-40 shrimp” are used in recipes using shrimps and in stores selling shrimps.So, what does 30-40 mean and what can we understand from these numbers?

Shrimps sizing

Different countries use different scales for counting and sizing shrimp; some countries use shrimp count per pound and others use shrimp count per kilogram. There are two numbers on both scales, one small and one large. We will use 30-40 size to talk about shrimp sizing in this article.

For example, in 30-40 size, the small number is 30 and the big one is 40. What does that mean?

As the numbers get smaller, the shrimps become bigger.

It means that there are 30 to 40 shrimps in one package and these 30to 40 shrimps carry 1 kilogram between them. In other words, sometimes 30 shrimps weigh one kilogram. Sometimes 31 shrimps equal one kilogram and so on. It is clear that the smaller the number of shrimps weighing one kilogram, the larger the shrimps, and the larger the shrimps, the more expensive they become.

In other words, if 30 shrimps weigh one kilogram, it means the shrimps are larger than 40 shrimps weighing one kilogram.

Shrimp sizing- Standard Usage

If 35 shrimps weigh one kilogram at 30-40 size, this is a standard size accepted by all. The same sizing standard is used for all sizes in the world.

Shrimp Sizing- The “U”

Fewer shrimps=larger shrimps=more expensive shrimps

There are other terms used in shrimp sizing such as U10, U12, U15, and U21. But what does this “U” mean?

U is the first letter of the word Under. So the U in the U10 sizemeans less than 10 shrimps weigh 1 kilogram. There might be under 10 shrimps per 1 kilogram,  or 9 shrimps per1 kilogram, and so on. The fewer shrimps per one kilogram, the larger the shrimps are.

Shrimp Sizing- the U10 size also known as king prawn

U10 is the largest shrimp size. U10 size is used both in head-on and headless shrimp sizing.U-sized shrimp are the most expensive and popular shrimps. U-sized shrimps are called king prawns.

Shrimp Sizing- the Up Size

UP is another term used in shrimp sizing. You might have heard of up100 size. Up means above. Headless and peeled shrimps are used in the up100 size. So, more than 100 shrimps weigh 1 kilogram. Up100 size is the smallest shrimp size. Up100 shrimp size is very rare. It is very uncommon to sell up100 shrimps commercially.

 

U10, U12, U15, U21 size

  • Fewer Shrimps
  • Larger shrimps
  • More expensive shrimps

 

Up100 size

  • More shrimps
  • Smaller shrimps
  • Rare and uncommon for commercial sales