Currently, it is not diseases that are of the biggest concern in the Vannamei shrimp industry in SE Asia and the Indian subcontinent. 

Perhaps yes, for some in smaller locations, but this is more down to poor management principles. 

A simple look at the price trends of shrimp indicates that when diseases are rampant, then shrimp prices go up. Right now, prices are low. 

No - the biggest issue facing Indian farmers is the selling price paid!  

Prices will come down further on the commodity - a volume play. With Ecuador looking to produce 1.5MMT in 2023 and able to sell with the lowest prices on the market, this adds extra pressure for finding a home for domestic production. Ecuador also has the potential to ramp up to a much higher volume output over time - so look out rest-of-the-world. 

To this end, India must harness its 1.4bn population to support the local domestic consumption of farmed shrimp. 

Shrimp is a healthy, cheap protein source, and a local generic shrimp marketing program supported by the Indian government would not go amiss. 

Innovations in Shrimp Industry 

Shrimp-specific food service restaurants, as are e-commerce shrimp-to-home delivery systems, are starting to appear.  

Innovations like the steamans.com VapTap v.3 unit healthily steam cooks from frozen raw shrimp and addresses safe food storage and final delivery - sterilizing the shrimp on the spot for the end consumer - a possible food safety concern in India. 

The rapidly growing shrimp export industry is under pressure, and pivoting some energy to domesticate sales would not go amiss currently. 

This article was contributed by our expert Patrick Wood 

Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Patrick Wood  

Q1. What are the main challenges faced by the Indian vannamei shrimp industry regarding disease management and sustainable farming practices?

A poor understanding of shrimp husbandry that only time, knowledge, and experience can overcome. 

In other words, education on shrimp husbandry, not silver bullet products or snake oil.

Q2. What steps can be taken to strengthen the integration between the rapidly growing shrimp export industry and the local market development in India?

Two totally separate avenues. 

Rapidly growing export market not integrated with the local market. It can be via the same packer but different requirements and technical aspects for exporting requirements as to local. A commercial issue, too - pricing.