Shrimp Farming: Shocking Practices and Supermarkets

Extrapolated to an average weight of 20 grams per animal, this corresponds to around 2.5 billion shrimp, meaning Germans consume approximately four times as many shrimp as chickens.

A new investigation by the International Council for Animal Welfare (ICAW) now sheds light on serious animal welfare problems in shrimp production. Practices documented on farms in India, Indonesia and Guatemala include the frequent removal of one eye from breeding females to stimulate reproduction. In addition, shrimp are typically placed alive in ice water before processing, where they slowly suffocate or freeze to death.

We know today from numerous studies that shrimp and other crustaceans are sentient beings, says Dr. Kathrin Herrmann, European veterinary specialist in animal welfare. The common method of immobilising animals in ice baths often does not reliably anaesthetise them. This means a slow, painful death. A humane solution would be an immediately effective form of stunning, ideally electrical.

Affected Products in German Supermarkets

According to the ICAW, shrimp products sold under Aldi’s own brand could also originate from the affected regions. An accompanying market analysis found that other major German supermarkets, including Rewe, also offer shrimp from these countries.

Reactions from Customers

Footage shown on site prompted clear criticism from consumers. “They cut the eyes off animals while they’re still alive. That is 100 percent wrong,” said one customer outside an Aldi branch in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Another passer-by demanded: “Aldi must review its supply chains and clearly label the origin of its products.”

While Aldi and Rewe have recently acknowledged the issue, binding changes remain elusive. Under current regulations, the removal of eyestalks from shrimp is permitted until at least 2031. A possible ban on ice-water stunning is also not foreseeable at this time.

Demands from animal welfare organizations

«Customers are shocked when they find out that shrimps have their eyes cut off», says Jonas Becker from the International Council for Animal Welfare. «We demand a ban on this practice and a guarantee of effective electrical stunning, from Aldi and all German supermarkets.»