Indian shrimp output declines sharply

A fall in global prices, increased rejections by the EU and persisting anti-dumping duty levied on Indian shrimp exports to the US have resulted in a sharp fall in aquaculture operations in the country.

Shrimp aquaculture production fell 28 percent during 2008-09 over the previous year, while scampi production plunged by over 50 percent. The fall in production was also accompanied by a fall in area under aquaculture farming last year.

Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) president Anwar Hashim said the global recession and falling prices have been cited as the major reasons for the fall in production.

Hashim also said black tiger would be commanding US$8 to US$9 a kg in the international market; vannamei shrimp would be available at half the price at US$4 to US$5.

There has been a preference change from the high-end black tiger to the vannamei shrimp.

Aquaculture shrimp production fell from 106,160 tonnes in 2007-08 to 75,997 tonnes in 2008-09. The value realisation from the production has also recorded a 28 per cent fall.

The fall in scampi production in 2008-09 was far more accelerated at over 53 percent. The prime reason for the fall in aquaculture of scampi was the repeated rejections by the EU on account of the presence of the banned substance, nitrofuran in the scampi export consignments.

Nitrofuran is the residue from an anti-biotic provided to the scampi seedling for their healthy accelerated growth, which has been banned by the EU. Rejections have risen from 33 by the EU during calendar year 2008 to over 50 during the first seven months of this year. Of these, 33 are reported to be due to on account of the presence of nitrofuran in scampi export consignments.