May 3, 2011

 

India's shrimp exports boosted by global shortage

 

 

India's shrimp exports are back on track largely due to a global shortage, which is pushing growth of the Indian seafood sector.

 

With shrimp production in Asian countries such as Indonesia affected by disease, global prices for shrimp have surged during 2010 by 10-20%.


Recovery in the US consumption of shrimps and demand in countries such as China is putting pressure on global shrimp supply. Indian shrimp exports are slowly recouping the losses suffered after the US imposed anti-dumping duty on Indian shrimps.
 

Shrimp exports last financial year increased by 13% in volume, 35% in rupee value and 41% in dollar value respectively. Unit value realisation of shrimps had increased 24% during the period. Frozen shrimp continues to be the major export item accounting for 46% of total dollar earnings.

 

Major farm shrimp producers like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia reported lower production in 2010. The winter season had delayed Chinese shrimp farming last year. Vannamei farms in central Vietnam and black tiger shrimp farms in southern provinces were affected by hot weather, which affected growth rates and caused disease.

 

Indonesia's Vannamei farming sector has not fully recovered from the disease crisis in 2009. Shrimp farms in Honduras were affected by a tropical storm and subsequent heavy rains. Global shrimp production has increased dramatically in the last two decades with the shift from capture fisheries into farm fisheries.

 

China is emerging in the trade. Vannamei continues to be the single species dominating shrimp production in China accounting for more than 70% of total farmed shrimp production.

 

Meanwhile, the Indian aquaculture sector also improved with higher production reported in most of the southern states. Aquaculture production increased by more than 30% during the 2009-10, due to productivity increase in the key states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Marine Exports Product Development Authority (MPEDA) officials said. During 2009-10, total production reached 106,000 tonnes.

 

Production of coastal aquaculture reduced during 2008-09 with a production of 88,803 tonnes at an estimated value of INR1,915 crore (US$431 million) during the year, MPEDA sources said. Shrimp production from coastal aquaculture was 75,997 tonnes from the culture area of 108,000 hectares. Compared with the previous year, the decrease is about 28.4% in production and 10.9% in area.

 

Farming of aquaculture Vannamei shrimps also helped give Indian exporters a competitive edge in terms of price. Export of Vannamei shrimp reached 10,000 tonnes during the last financial year. India produces mainly black tiger shrimp and processing facilities are running at only about 30% of their capacity. Export rivals such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are experienced in Vannamei farming. Black tiger shrimps have higher production costs and lower yields than Vannamei.

Video >

Follow Us

FacebookTwitterLinkedIn