June 9, 2008

Philippine province to boost white shrimp output on attractive prospects

As white shrimp is gaining popularity in the global market, the Philippine province of Negros is looking on shifting gears from black shrimp production.

Negros Prawn Producers reported that presently, there are 650 hectares of active shrimp ponds, which produce 80 percent black shrimp and only 20 percent white shrimp.

Philip Cruz, head of the Cruz Aquaculture Corp., said that given all the advantages of growing white shrimp, the present 20 percent can be increased to more than 50 percent.

Due to the high cost of fuel, the domestic price of black shrimp is more than PHP300 a kilogramme. With white shrimp, this will be reduced to PHP200 or less, Cruz explained.

US$1 = PHP44.42 as of June 9, 2008