Introducing a new variety of shrimp for export

FE Team | Published: April 04, 2024 21:02:41

After persistent appeals from shrimp exporters, the government has granted approval for import of non-native Vannamei shrimp seed, paving the way for its commercial cultivation. This decision follows a drastic drop in shrimp exports, primarily driven by the dominance of Vannamei shrimp, a more economical variety from competing countries, in the international market. Exporters have long been urging for diversifying shrimp exports, citing the diminishing demand for Bangladesh's high-quality shrimp in key European and US markets, which collectively absorb 80 per cent of the country's shrimp exports.
Since the onset of the pandemic up until now, there has apparently been no sign for shrimp export to make a comeback. As a result, frozen food - comprising mainly shrimp - once the third major export item of the country next to RMG, jute and jute goods, has dropped to seventh position. There are more than a hundred frozen food processing factories in the country with an annual production capacity of 0.4 million tonnes, but the current production capacity of the factories is only about 10-15 per cent. Export is believed to have been hit by an undiversified product range that has been responsible for losing shares in the markets abroad. According to industry insiders, Bangladeshi shrimp, recognised as a delicacy as well as a high priced kitchen item overseas, is struggling to retain its market share amid uneven competition with low priced varieties from other sources. This is attributed to the low price of Vannamei shrimp-- a disease tolerant and high-yielding variety which gives an yield of 10-15 tonnes per hectare, as against a paltry 300-400 kgs from traditional cultivation in Bangladesh.
The Vannamei variety, because of high yield and low cost of production, has already gained wide popularity capturing 77 per cent of global market, according to reports. However, this variety was not officially approved for cultivation in the country, presumably because of its low quality compared to the better and high priced varieties cultivated and exported from Bangladesh. However, it is reported that most shrimp producing countries in Asia have been cultivating Vannamei for export since the late eighties.
Understandably, the government's nod to import vannamei shrimp seeds for cultivation highlights the urgency to reclaim its position in the export market. It has been reported that permission has been granted to import over five million vannamei shrimp seeds. Previously, the government conducted two trial projects on vannamei shrimp cultivation to assess its suitability for future export cultivation. Positive results from the trial projects could also be a strong reason beside the exporters' eagerness to allow import of vannamei seeds for export cultivation. Nonetheless, concerned quarters advocate for controlled cultivation of this new non-native variety in specific areas initially to prevent interference with the cultivation of the local sweet-water shrimp variety. Historically, the country's shrimp exports to key markets began with the indigenous prime variety, which, despite its higher price, garnered acclaim in the upscale shrimp market segment due to its distinct qualities.