The United States imports nearly what percentage of its seafood consumption?

• A. 70%
• B. 50%
• C. 90%
• D. 30%

Answer: (C)

High reliance on imports to meet seafood demand. The United States consumes far more seafood than it can produce through domestic wild catch and aquaculture, so imports fill the gap. The commonly cited figure is about nine in ten pounds of seafood eaten in the U.S. being imported, roughly 90%. That means the domestic supply chain for seafood is highly globalized, with imports covering shrimp, tuna, salmon, and other products from many countries, and subject to international trade and safety controls (FDA inspections, etc.). If you see a much lower figure, like 70%, 50%, or 30%, it would imply a far smaller role for imports than what is actually observed in U.S. seafood consumption.