Scampi exports likely to touch Rs 1,000 crore

The foreign exchange earnings through scampi (fresh water culture shrimp) farming from Andhra Pradesh are estimated to be around Rs 900-1,000 crore during the current financial year.

According to the Marine Product Export Development Authority (Mpeda) reports, of the total production of Scampi in the country, Andhra Pradesh alone produces more than 85 per cent.

During 2002-2003, seven coastal states in the country produced 30,450 tonnes of scampi, with Andhra Pradesh alone contributing 27,020 tonnes.

"With the availability of sufficient infrastructural facilities in the state, scampi culture has become much easier when compared to Black Tiger (BT) shrimp culture, as the former is safe and generates substantial income. Due to these multiple advantages, the farmers in the state are slowly shifting from Black Tiger to scampi culture. Even diseases that commonly prevail in the brackish water shrimp farms are not reported in scampi farming till date. Good quality of seed-generating hatcheries and feed mills too are abundant in the state. Seeing an assured substantial revenue with no risks involved, several farmers are evincing keen interest in fresh water shrimp culture in the state," the Mpeda officials said.

According to Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), around 40 hatcheries in the state are engaged in freshwater seed production. Around 20 feed mills with a cumulative production capacity of 60,000 tonnes a year have taken up scampi feed supply in the state.

Seafood exporters are paying an attractive price for scampi shrimp. At present, they are offering Rs 280 per kg of 20-count and Rs 250 per kg of 30-count Black Tiger shrimp, whereas they are paying Rs 640 per kg of 20-count and Rs 530 for 30- count scampi shrimp.

"Because of the huge income in scampi culture, scampi farming area has been growing day after day, and the yielding too is improving due to the technical support given by Mpeda. During 1999-2000, the scampi cultivation area in the state was 6,510 hectares, and the yielding was below 700 kgs a hectare.

"By 2002-03, the scampi farming area increased to 21,580 hectares and the production rose to 27,020 tonnes, taking the yield to 1,250 kg a hectare. The seafood exporters are expecting a 30,000 tonne scampi production from the state this financial year. With the increase in the yield and the subsequent increase of scampi prices in the international market, the state is likely to see a boom in scampi cultivation," said the seafood exporters.