Shrimp output sets new record

FE Report | Published: June 29, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The country's shrimp production has set new record by applying semi intensive and improved intensive culture system under a pilot project of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA).
BFFEA said that around 4,500 kgs of shrimp have been produced on a hectare of land in Cox's Bazar by applying the semi-intensive culture while 1,500 kgs of shrimp per hectare by the improved extensive culture system in Cox's Bazar, said a press release.
BFFEA President Md Aminullah said, "The black tiger shrimp is being produced in the country with traditional system for a long time. For this reason we are getting only 250 kgs to 300 kgs of shrimp on per hectare of land."
"It is for the first-time that Bangladesh has reached a new high in the shrimp production. We are exporting small quantity of shrimp abroad whereas our competitors like Vietnam, Thailand, India, China, Indonesia are producing 3000 kgs of shrimp on a hectare of land," he added.
BFFEA sources said the association has taken a pilot project on 5 hectares of land in Khuruskul area of Cox's Bazar Sadar since January, 2014.
This record shrimp production has been possible with semi intensive and improved intensive culture systems with adequate training of farmers, preparing land for shrimp farming after testing quality of soil and water, supplying pathogen free healthy post larvae and proper feed.
BFFEA President said, "We have taken this pilot project to encourage the shrimp farmers, mainly for the black tiger shrimp so that the they can come forward for shrimp production."
BFFEA expert team and local fisheries department officials are supporting the implementation of this pilot project.
Fisheries department sources said there are around 170,000 hectares of land for black tiger shrimp cultivation and 45,000 hectares land for fresh water prawn cultivation.
Already, some local enterprenuers are producing 3000 kgs of shrimp on per hectare applying semi intensive culture in Cox's Bazar and Khulna.
Bangladesh exported frozen foods worth $ 495 million during July to May this fiscal year (FY 2013-14) which is 22 per cent higher than the same period in 2012-13.
Bangladesh is now exporting shrimp to 50 countries across the globe. The shrimp processing units have the capacity to produce 300,000 tonnes of shrimp annually but using only 20 per cent of its processing capacity.