Frozen farmed shrimps. (Photo: Camanor)

RN shrimp producers seek to regain leadership

BRAZIL
Tuesday, May 08, 2012, 02:40 (GMT + 9)

The shrimp sector of Rio Grande do Norte (RN) remained a national leader in the field until 2006 but the international crisis affecting the industry made it lose competitiveness, especially in relation to exports.

Six years later, shrimp producers in that state are determined to regain their national leadership.

Currently, the largest producer of shrimp is the state of Ceará, with 30,000 annual tonnes while in Rio Grande do Norte about 23,000 tonnes are produced.

The members of the shrimp sector will address issues related to this subject during the 9th edition of the National Shrimp Fair (Fenacam) to be held in Natal between 11 and 14 June, 2012.

The fair will also provide a framework for analyzing the different market opportunities and technological advances, among other issues, reported Diário de Natal.

Last year, Brazil produced about 70,000 tonnes of shrimp, and for this year production is expected to reach 75,000 tonnes.

In Brazil there are 1,400 producers of shrimp in captivity, of which 550 operate in Rio Grande do Norte.

Producers expect the market to invoice more than BRL 1,000 million (USD 517,000) during this year.

"We were at the front, leading production and export. We lost focus because of the floods that occurred in 2004, 2008 and 2009. There was no action by the Government to support the recovery," said Itamar Rocha, president of the Brazilian Shrimp Breeders Association (ABCC) and coordinator of Fenacam.

Ceasing exports does not invalidate shrimp production growth in the domestic market.

"Today we are beginning a shift in our focus. Processed shrimp is beginning to have more space. The domestic market also remains strong, with competitive prices. In addition, the local market pays between 35 per cent and 40 per cent, which is better than the international one," Rocha added.

However, the leader called for the government "to contribute competitiveness tools that the industry is demanding."

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

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