Special Report
Bangladesh Black Tiger Prawn is now available at least 50 different countries though both of its production and export declines significantly.
The country annually produces 2.6 lakh 61 tonnes of shrimp of which 11.7 percent or 30,571.40 tonnes of frozen shrimp were exported abroad during 2021-22, Fishery and Livestock Minister told recently.
Shrimp production has been decreased significantly as according to Khulna Fish Inspection and Quality Control (FIQC) office, a total of 19,904 tonnes of shrimp exporter from Southern Region in 2022-2023 fiscal against 24,104 tonnes in the previous FY2021-22.
Bangladesh Black Tiger Prawn growers have been facing manifold crisis including death of stocks, natural calamities. Farmers have also faces increased prices of fries, feed, labour, and transport costs. Production has decreased due to these reasons as well.
According to Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA), shrimp exports have been declining continuously for seven years.
While speaking with Business Mirror Joydeb Paul, District Fisheries Officer said, many dwellers in the region are constructing dam to protect salt water for agricultural production also drives drive away land from shrimp production.
Paul added that the department is undertaking high training for farmers so for they get interested for high yielding shrimp production.
Besides, local growers are trying to develop clusters among them to enhance shrimp output.
Meanwhile, exporters are claiming that the high demand for vannamei shrimp in the world market, bagda and galda shrimp are gradually losing market in the west.
As vannamei shrimp farming requires a lesser production cost and area, can compete well with the cheap varieties in the western market, traders are urging the government to allow commercial farming of vannamei as soon as possible.
The government has recently given go-ahead to the experimental production of postlarvae (PL) of vannamei shrimp as Bangladesh has started cultivation of the non-native variety eying higher yields.
This comes a few months after the government allowed commercial cultivation of the shrimp, also known as whiteleg shrimp, as its experimental farming in three farms of the southern coastal region showed severalfold higher yield than that of the locally farmed black tiger shrimp.
Desh Bangla SPF Hatchery, which is registered under the Department of Fisheries, will conduct experimental vannamei shrimp postlarvae production activities under biosecurity management, according to the department.
However, Bangladesh shrimp industry plans to implement Quick Response (QR) codes to facilitate the sharing of safety processing information with customers. This initiative is a crucial aspect of the country’s efforts to globally brand its export-oriented products and ensure digital traceability.
Besides, the country is holding an international conference on marine seafood in October this year to share knowledge with international experts and boost the promising marine fisheries, including the shrimp sector. The industry is currently witnessing an increase in losses from disease, partly due to poor biosecurity, which has substantial economic, social and environmental costs, according to the researchers.
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