Most of shrimp production continues to target the domestic market. (Photo: Nutrimar/FIS)

Growth of shrimp production foreseen

BRAZIL
Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 01:20 (GMT + 9)

The Brazilian Association of Shrimp Breeders (ABCC) estimates that this year the domestic production of shrimp will reach about 80,300 tonnes, that is to say, 13 per cent more than in 2011, when 71,000 tonnes were obtained.

Last year, the value of the product was BRL 674.5 million (USD 385.8 million) while revenues for 2012 are calculated by BRL 771 million (USD 441 million).

However, Marcelo Borba, ABCC technical consultant, said that the most of production will continue to target the domestic market.

"The domestic market is developing, producers are investing, the demand seeks an offer enlargement", he went on.

He also recalled that 80 per cent of the market is represented by the entity.

Currently, Brazil does not import shrimp from anywhere in the world, and in 1999 the producers filed an action for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) to impose a barrier against the entry of crustaceans, because the white spot was decimating crustacean populations in Asia.

Borba said that "the shrimp for domestic market has the same quality of that exported before" and that "the foreign market lost its attraction."

Meanwhile, the company Nutrimar Pescados, producing Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp species since 1983, decided to diversify its supply.

In 11 farms occupying 1,100 hectares of water, the company monthly produces 600 tonnes of shrimp and annually sells about 4,600 tonnes (shelled and cleaned) at BRL 13 (USD 7.40) per kilogram.

Fabricio Ribeiro, Nutrimar commercial director, said that in 2003 the business group invested approximately BRL 4 million (USD 2.2 million) in organic shrimp farming. And in February he expects Carrefour, Pão de Açúcar and Wal-Mart to sell their organically grown shrimp.

In 2011, the company invested BRL 1.2 million (USD 686,500) in traceability technology, so that the end buyer may know the origins of the product purchased.

"We have noted that Brazilian consumers do not trust in the frozen seafood products and we want to put an end to this myth", said Ribeiro.

Related article:

- Nutrimar pioneer in shrimp traceability

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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