Vannamei prawns

Vannamei prawns are originally from Central and South America. They largely replaced native Penaeus monodon in Asia as the most farmed shrimp. They are more resistant to disease and there are more harvests in a year. Vannamei prawns live in tropical marine habitats.

Download PDFfor more info

Species information

Commercial name Vannamei prawns or whiteleg prawns

Scientific name Litopenaeus vannamei

Famliy Penaeidae

Catch area Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, India, Ecuador, Colombia

Catch season Two-three times/year

Estimated volume/year 1.116.000 T (source: FAO 2009)

Available as HOSO (cooked), HLSO, peeled (PD), PTO, frozen and chilled. Frozen: raw, blanched, cooked - Chilled: cooked

Available sizes HOSO: 31-40 up to 80-120 pcs/kg - Peeled: 31-35 up to 100-200 pcs/lb - HLSO: 16-20 up to 61-70 pcs/lb (also easy peel)

Sustainability details Heiploeg aims to source all vannamei prawns from GLOBALG.A.P. certified sources. Certified organic vannamei prawns are available from Ecuador.

All packaging options All packaging options