September 18, 2006

Shrimp production to drop in Indonesia

Indonesia's shrimp production is forecast to be well below the target of 350,000 tonnes set by Maritime and Fisheries Ministry this year, Shidiq Moeslim, chairman of the Indonesian Shrimp Commission, said last week.

Production in the first six months of the year totaled only 125,000 tonnes and looks set to worsen in the second half due to bad weather from June to August, Shidiq said.

He reckoned that production would not likely exceed 270,000 tonnes this year, down 10 percent from the 300,000 tonnes seen last year.