February 1, 2012

 

Brazil's 2012 shrimp output to increase

 

 

Brazil's shrimp production is set to reach about 80,300 tonnes this year, up 13% from 2011's 71,000 tonnes, according to estimates from the Brazilian Association of Shrimp Breeders (ABCC).

 

Last year, the value of the product was BRL674.5 million (US$385.8 million) while revenues for 2012 are calculated to be BRL771 million (US$441 million).

 

However, Marcelo Borba, ABCC's Technical Consultant, said that the most of production will continue to target the domestic market.

 

"The domestic market is developing, producers are investing, the demand seeks an offer enlargement", he went on.

 

He also recalled that 80% of the market is represented by the entity.

 

Currently, Brazil does not import shrimp from other parts of the world, and in 1999, producers filed an action for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) to impose a barrier against the entry of crustaceans, because the white spot was decimating crustacean populations in Asia.

 

Borba said that "the shrimp for domestic market has the same quality of that exported before" and that "the foreign market lost its attraction."

 

Meanwhile, the company, Nutrimar Pescados, which has been producing Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp species since 1983, decided to diversify its supply.

 

In 11 farms occupying 1,100 hectares of water, the company produces a monthly amount of 600 tonnes of shrimp and annually sells about 4,600 tonnes (shelled and cleaned) at BRL13 (US$7.40) per kilogramme.

 

Fabricio Ribeiro, Nutrimar's Commercial Director, said that in 2003, the business group invested approximately BRL4 million (US$2.2 million) in organic shrimp farming. And in February, he expects Carrefour, Pão de Açúcar and Wal-Mart to sell their organically grown shrimp.

 

In 2011, the company invested BRL 1.2 million (US$686,500) in traceability technology, so that buyers may know the origins of the product purchased.

 

"We have noted that Brazilian consumers do not trust in the frozen seafood products and we want to put an end to this myth", said Ribeiro.