September 24, 2012

 

 

Bangladesh may ban shrimp imports to control the illegal entry of virus-ridden frozen fish into the country.

 

The government takes action when virus-affected shrimps was recently imported from India illegally, and officials fear this product will threaten Bangladesh's third-largest foreign currency earning sector by leading it to lose the generalised system of preference (GSP) facility offered by the EU.

 

In the last fiscal year July 1, 2011-2030 June 2012), the EU made up most of Bangladesh's yearly US$500,000 shrimp export.

 

"We are going to take necessary steps so that the provision of importing shrimps is removed from the national import policy," said Joint Secretary of Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Shamsul Kibria.

 

Bangladesh may not be able to enjoy the GSP facility any more if shrimp imported from third countries is exported, he explained.

 

On September 13, the Department of Fisheries (DoF) requested the Fisheries Ministry to stop importing shrimps.

 

Some 3,192 kilogrammes of virus-infected shrimps were seized in the border areas of the country this month, and all of the product was illegally imported from India, according to DoF director, Syed Arif Azad.

 

"Importers of the countries where Bangladesh enjoys duty-free facility will be discouraged, leading to a setback for the sector," he warned.

 

Exporters also demanded a ban on shrimp import to catch a break in light of the global recession.

 

Bangladesh exported 92,479 tonnes of frozen fish worth US$565.8 million in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, and shrimp contributed about 77% of the total earnings. In the last fiscal, exports slumped by 4.26% on-year.

 

About 80% of Bangladesh's shrimp exports go to the US and Europe, whose strained economies have led buyers to opt for cheaper varieties from Thailand, India, Vietnam and Mexico. Instead of the prime variety of Bangladeshi black tiger shrimps, mass consumers are choosing the much cheaper white shrimp (Vennfmi) that comes mostly from Thailand and Vietnam.

 

Bangladesh's worst-hit areas are the farmers in the key shrimp cultivating zone: the southwestern coastal districts of Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira, which supply the bulk of the prime variety of shrimp.