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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- A cold winter, natural disasters abroad and the rising price of fuel have combined to send shrimp prices higher in South Carolina.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Tuesday that shrimp is now selling for about $15 a pound in some places.

Cold weather last winter has delayed the local harvest and it will be next month before local shrimp is available.

There's a national shortage because of the Japanese tsunami and flooding in Thailand where much of the shrimp imported to the United States is raised. About 80 percent of the shrimp consumed in the nation is imported.

The shrimp price is also affected by gasoline nearing $4 a gallon, making it more expensive to transport shrimp to market.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)