Thailand is a world leader in export of cultivated shrimp, and its major importers are the USA, followed by the EU, Japan, Canada and South Korea (Thai Frozen Foods Association statistics). The demand for shrimp is increasing yearly. Of the total chilled and frozen shrimp exports, approximately 95% are frozen shrimp, which is the top export item in the frozen seafood category. In 2007, Thai shrimp exports amounted to 323,944 metric tons of which 197,433 metric tons comprised fresh frozen (i.e., uncooked) products (Thai Frozen Foods Association statistics).