April 10, 2006

Shrimp industry in Iran faces its greatest test

The shrimp industry in Iran could very well disappear if problems plaguing the industry were not resolved soon, according to Arsalan Qasemi, chairman of the Cooperative Union of the Shrimp Farmers and Exporters.

A disease in shrimp ponds in the Khuzestan Province in southern Iran has led to a drastic decline in production last year, reducing harvests to 3,000 tonnes.

Production of shrimp in the province of Khuzestan grew steadily between 1997 and 2002 but has been stagnating through 2002 and 2003, he stated.

The province is the country's major producer of seafood. Output can be unpredictable, with harvests sometimes three times the normal volume.