Farmed shrimp. (Photo: Stock File)

Certified shrimp, a chance to regain international market

BRAZIL
Friday, October 12, 2012, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The Origin Label awarded by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) could help shrimp producers from Costa Negra, in Ceará, to restart the export of this crustacean.

This label guarantees a distinct market for producers from various Brazilian regions, and there are many expectations as to their role to reopen the international market doors. Brazil was one of the leading shrimp exporters to the United States until 2005, when the Brazilian currency appreciation (real) contributed to competitiveness loss among local producers.

Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil, is the state that has the largest shrimp production in the country.

Costa Negra is a 48-kilometre stretch of beaches between the towns Amontada and Jijoca and Jericoacoara, on the west coast of Ceará. There, the first farmers that began to operate in the area noted that shrimp grew a lot and had tender meat, Globo Rural reported.

After some investigations, it was determined that the dark sand of this region is rich in nutrients that end up in the sea and rivers, and the waters are ideal for supplying shrimp nurseries.

To achieve the designation of origin label, the producers had to ensure a standard level in farming and began producing their own shrimp larvae.

To have the origin certified, the producers also had to ensure that they were preserving 40 per cent of the original vegetation of shrimp farms and protecting the water.

A total of 30 shrimp producers in Costa Negra have already managed to get the Origin Seal. The next step is the creation of the label, a process that is already underway in the Ministry of Agriculture and the producers expect their certified products are on the market before year-end.

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

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