In the face of continued decline in frozen shrimp exports to the United States (US), the government along with exporters has decided to launch a promotional campaign, officials said.
"We will sit with US importers to set a strategy for branding shrimp in that market. No campaign was launched so far to reach the item to the consumers there," joint secretary of the ministry of commerce Obaidul Azam told the FE before leaving for Boston Seafood Festival.
Commerce secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, fisheries and livestock secretary Maksudul Hasan Khan are also attending the biggest annual festival in the United States along with Bangladeshi sea food producers and exporters.
The festival began Sunday and will continue till Tuesday.
Sector insiders said during the last couple years Bangladesh's frozen shrimp export to the US is declining continuously battered by economic recession and availability of low-price variety namely vannamei.
In fiscal year 2014-15, the country exported frozen shrimp worth US$35.26 million to the US market, down from $81.55 million in FY 2010-11, and $170 million in FY 2006-07, statistics show.
Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and India, which are key rivals of Bangladesh in the global frozen fish market, are farming vannamei and grabbing sizable share gradually.
Bangladesh could not start producing the low-cost variety as the government did not formulate policy in this regard yet.
Mr Azam said the consumers in the US are interested to buy low-cost prawn vannamei as the economic recovery in America is still fragile.
"Before the farming, we have to promote our black tiger shrimp (Bagda)," said Mr Azam.
He said the US consumers have to be informed that Bagda is delicious compared to other shrimp varieties. "Since its tasty and a luxury item, its cost can't be compared with low-cost vannamei."
Mr Azam said Bangladesh has already attained considerable capacity to grow shrimp. The production per hector has increased to 450 tonnes from 250 tonnes in the past.
"We are now producing shrimp in organic way and compliant in all respects," he said.
Mr Azam also said Bangladesh's fishery items are unique.
As part of the effort for branding the item, he said the US consumers will be told that Bangladesh produces shrimp and other fishery products in organic system, those are better in taste and flavour, quality control system is strong, and traceability system is introduced to ensure better standards.
When contacted, BFFEA (Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association) official Abul Bashar told the FE Sunday the Bangladesh delegation will have meetings with US importers on the sidelines of the Boston Festival to find ways for branding black tiger shrimp as export of the item continues to decline.
He said consumers prefer vannamei due to its low price, while black tiger shrimp is costlier.
"We have to find ways on how to reach black tiger shrimp to the consumers informing them about its difference with vannamei," he added.
The price of per pound of vannamei is cheaper than that of black tiger by $2.0 to $2.50. Vannamei is being sold at $4.0 to $ 4.5 per pound, while the lowest price of per pound of black tiger shrimp is $ 6.0.
   syful-islam@outlook.com
Govt moves to brand tiger prawn as exports to US ebb
Syful Islam | Published: March 07, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: March 06, 2016 21:49:53
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