Shrimp farmers disappointed over low prices

Shrimp prices in Bagherhat and Khulna have decreased at a time while prices of both farmed and netted fishes have gone up across the country, raising fear of loss among producers in the south-western districts.

According to farmers in Bagherhat, shrimp prices have decreased by Tk 150-300 per kg depending on size and variety compared to the previous season.

Industry insiders believe the government’s patronage is necessary to save the shrimp industry.

Bagerhat contributes a majority of the country’s shrimp production with thousands of families being completely dependent on the industry for decades. 

Moreover, shrimp farmers contribute a significant amount of the country’s revenue from exports, earning the industry the title of ‘white gold’.

Around 35,000 farmers are involved in lobster farming at about 70,000 lobster enclosures in Bagherhat. Among the total production, about 90 per cent of the shrimp are exported to 32 countries around the globe.

However, the people involved in this industry are in dire straits due to natural calamities, and continuous increases in the price of fish fries and feed.

Shrimp farmer Shamim Sheikh of Pardumuria village of Chitalmari upazila, said, “The price of prawns was high at the beginning of the season but the supply was low. But the prices have fallen even though it is the peak season now.”

He added that within a week, lobster prices fell by Tk 150-300 depending on size.

Kachua upazila’s shrimp farmer Md Jahangir said it has become a challenge to survive by shrimp farming since the prices of farming necessities have gone up.

“Natural disasters already cause us some losses every year. Not being able to make a profit at the end of the year will hit us hard since most of us take loans from banks to farm shrimp,” he said.

Fakirhat upazila resident Shihab Uddin Rubel said, “A lot of prawn and lobster are produced in this region but due to the intervention of middlemen, farmers rarely make a fair profit. Syndicates lower the prices when there is a surplus of shrimp in the market.”

Visiting the fish markets of Khulna’s Koyra upazila, this correspondent saw that small shrimps are being transported to retail markets of Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts. The large lobsters are being sent to fish processing companies to be exported abroad.

Koyra Sadar fish markets trader Insan Ali said most exports go to European countries. However, fish processing companies are reducing the prices on the pretext of low exports.

According to Insan, a month ago one kg of 30-piece lobster was sold for Tk 930 and the larger ones at Tk 1,080, but now the companies are paying Tk 555 and Tk 650 for them respectively.

“Now we are selling them to other districts since the rates are higher in the domestic market. But the retail prices are still low,” he said.

According to Bagerhat District Shrimp Farmers Association President Fakir Mohitul Islam Sumon, shrimp farmers do not get enough profit compared to the money and labour invested in the production throughout the year due to sudden price drops.

“The government needs to take initiative and intervene in overall management including market monitoring, to keep this industry alive and in proper order,” he said.

Bagerhat district fisheries officer SM Sohail said due to the advice of the fisheries department and the sincere efforts of the farmers, the production of prawn and lobster have been relatively good this season.

“The market prices are still low since exports have not begun again in full swing after the pandemic. Prices will increase when the export process goes back to normal again,” he said.

Tariqul Islam Zahir, managing director of Khulna-based fish processing company Achia Sea Foods Limited, told The Business Post that the demand for shrimp has significantly dropped in the international market.

In response to a question, he said they make sure not to buy any jelly-filled shrimp. The country’s reputation will be damaged if the quality of their export falls so they are very careful about ensuring the product quality, he said, adding that is not the reason for the price drop.

“We are not getting any export orders due to inflation. The prices have fallen due to the global recession, we cannot do anything in this situation,” he said.