Louisiana Farm Bureau Urges Federal Investigation Into Foreign Crawfish Imports
By Kristen Oaks-White
Louisiana Farm Bureau News
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is calling on the federal government to investigate what it describes as unfair foreign trade practices impacting the U.S. crawfish industry.
In formal comments submitted to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Louisiana Farm Bureau leaders urged action under a Section 301 investigation into structural excess capacity in global crawfish production—specifically pointing to foreign imports being sold at prices below fair market value.
The organization submitted one set of comments independently and joined a broader coalition effort in a second letter, both aimed at addressing what producers say is a growing threat to the domestic crawfish industry.
“Crawfish production and processing form an integrated supply chain that supports thousands of farming operations, processors, and rural communities,” the letter states, emphasizing the industry’s importance to Louisiana and the nation.
Louisiana dominates U.S. crawfish production, supplying more than 180 million pounds annually. According to the LSU AgCenter, the industry generates over $280 million in farm-gate value and nearly $500 million in total economic impact when accounting for jobs and related sectors.
Despite that economic footprint, producers say the industry has been destabilized by a surge of imported crawfish—particularly from China—at prices they argue are far below the cost of domestic production.
Data included in the submission show the average landed value of imported crawfish dropped significantly in recent years, falling from $5.64 per pound (2013–2018) to just $3.02 per pound (2019–2024).
Meanwhile, U.S. producers report costs exceeding $9.00 per pound, creating what Farm Bureau describes as an unsustainable gap.
The letter also highlights the rapid rise of frozen whole-boiled crawfish imports, a category that has grown quickly since 2022 and now accounts for more than one-third of total U.S. crawfish imports.
Farm Bureau leaders argue this pricing behavior reflects “structural excess capacity” and state-supported production abroad—conditions they say mirror trade violations identified in other industries.
While China remains the dominant exporter, the organization noted increasing imports from countries like Spain, Egypt, and Vietnam, suggesting broader global pressure on domestic prices.
The economic impact is already being felt across Louisiana’s crawfish sector. Processors are operating below capacity, harvest days are limited, and producers are facing downward price pressure that threatens long-term sustainability.
“Imported products frequently enter the market at a fraction of domestic production costs,” the letter notes, warning that without intervention, the industry could face continued decline.
Farm Bureau also pointed to past rulings by the U.S. International Trade Commission, which previously found injury to domestic crawfish producers and imposed antidumping duties—measures that were later revoked in 2019. According to the organization, market conditions since that decision indicate those earlier concerns persist.
Now, Louisiana Farm Bureau is urging USTR to take action to ensure a level playing field for American producers.
“The crawfish industry serves as a clear example of how structural excess capacity abroad can inflict sustained harm on U.S. agricultural manufacturing sectors,” the letter states.
The organization says it stands ready to assist federal officials as the investigation moves forward and is encouraging policymakers to prioritize enforcement of trade laws that protect domestic agriculture.