Myanmar exports white shrimp (Vannamei), which generates export earnings and has been successfully produced in the fish ponds in Kawthoung, Myeik and Dawei districts of the Taninthayi Region, to China and Japan, according to the Taninthayi Region Fisheries Department.
White shrimp farming was launched in the Taninthayi Region, and the demand from foreign countries for quality marine products due to the clean seawater is high. The maritime workers are also interested in white shrimp farming rather than capturing as they see a solid market.
“White shrimp farming has been operational in the Taninthayi Region only for five years. It obtains certain achievements. There might be a huge investment amount where the profit is significant. If we do something wrong in livestock breeding, the losses are huge. Since early this year, marine entrepreneurs have faced losses and become interested in white shrimp farming. Some started operating white shrimp farming. Some also applied for land plots to develop as shrimp ponds. Demands for Myanmar’s white shrimp from China and Japan are currently the highest. But the demand from China has fallen recently. Foreign countries prefer Myanmar’s white shrimps for its quality due to the clean seawater. The entrepreneurs are also ready to breed as much as possible,” said department secretary U Thet Soe.
The entrepreneurs show interest in saltwater shrimp farming that guarantees market and income, whereas the fish resources become rare, the transportation charges are high, and the market is unstable. The foreign purchasers visit the farming ponds. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation signed a MoU with the Chinese officials. The agreement will benefit captured shrimp and seawater shrimp exports and improve the country’s GDP.
There are 18 shrimp breeding ponds on 124.62 acres of land in Kawthoung District, operated by Grand Adman Co Ltd, 105 ponds on 832 acres of land by Pyae Phyo Tun Company in Kyunsu Township of Myeik District, 53 ponds on 531.05 acres of land by Khine Zin Yaw Company (Masanpa), 25 ponds on 299.77 acres of land by Shwe Kan Maw Company in Pulaw Township, eight ponds on 40acres of land by The Best Myanmar Co Ltd in Yephyu Township of Dawei District, totalling 209 ponds on 1827.44 acres of lands.
Two to four million shrimps are bred in a 2.5-acre wide and six-foot deep pond for saltwater shrimp farming. There is also a reservoir and disinfectant pond. One hundred acres can produce 40 per cent. The larvae of white shrimp are imported from Thailand, and they are marketable after four months of breeding. An export company earns over US$10 million from saltwater shrimp exports. An increase in breeding companies can lead to a rise in export earnings. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/KTZH
