Andhra Pradesh is a state of the Republic of India located in the southeast of the country

Rising Vannamei Shrimp Seed Prices Squeeze Nellore Farmers

INDIA
Thursday, February 06, 2025, 05:00 (GMT + 9)

Aquaculture farmers in the Nellore region of Andhra Pradesh are facing mounting challenges due to soaring prices for Vannamei shrimp seed, prompting calls for government intervention.

Seed prices have surged from ₹0.30 ($0.0036) to over ₹0.41 ($0.005) per seed at hatcheries, with further increases predicted, raising concerns about the viability of shrimp farming.

The escalating cost of seed is a significant blow to local farmers. Previously, seed was readily available at affordable prices, but the growing demand for high-quality seed and broodstock has driven prices sharply upward. Just 20 days ago, stocking an acre with 160,000 Vannamei shrimp seeds cost approximately ₹48,000 ($580). Following the recent price surge, that same quantity now costs ₹65,600 ($793).

"The cost of seed is rising too fast," says Ramesh Babu, an aqua farmer from Vakadu. "If this trend continues, small-scale farmers like us may struggle to continue shrimp farming."

The price increases come at a particularly difficult time for farmers in coastal areas such as Kota, Vakadu, Chittamuru, and Chillakur. Following a "crop holiday" last year due to unfavorable weather conditions, farmers are now preparing their ponds for shrimp cultivation, only to be met with inflated seed prices. This double blow has exacerbated their financial difficulties.

Hatchery owners attribute the higher prices to the rising cost of importing high-quality, disease-free broodstock (parent shrimp) from the USA, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Japan. This broodstock is then used in hatcheries in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu to produce shrimp seed.

Nellore district (map on the left) is a key contributor to Andhra Pradesh's shrimp exports. The state produces approximately 634,000 metric tonnes of shrimp annually, with Litopenaeus Vannamei being the dominant variety.

<-- Nellore district, officially known as Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district in Coastal Andhra Region, is one of the 26 districts in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

The region's shrimp farming sector has seen its share of ups and downs. While Tiger shrimp farming was once highly profitable, it was decimated by diseases like White Spot Syndrome in the early 2000s. Farmers subsequently shifted to Vannamei shrimp, which proved successful for several years. However, Vannamei shrimp farming has also faced challenges recently, with outbreaks of Vibrio infections and White Spot Disease leading to decreased production.

Farmers like Subramanyam from Chillakur believe that government support, such as subsidies on broodstock imports or financial assistance for small-scale farmers, is crucial for stabilizing the industry. "If the State government does not intervene," he warns, "shrimp farming may soon become unsustainable for many of us."

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