The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) has said it will purchase $30 million (€25.3 million) worth of domestic shrimp to help alleviate food insecurity in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The USDA will make the purchase under the Agriculture Act of 1935, which provides for national food assistance during emergencies.

Earlier in April the USDA placed its first-ever order for up to 20 million pounds of shrimp from Louisiana and US Gulf of Mexico shrimpers.