Shrimp Prices Leave Farmers Worried

Shrimp farmers in Andhra Pradesh are facing mounting challenges due to unstable market prices and recurring disease outbreaks. As shrimp exports largely depend on international demand, farm-gate prices continue to fluctuate significantly. Prices dropped by ₹30–₹40 per kilogram in May, followed by marginal increases of ₹5 last month and another ₹10 recently. However, current prices remain around ₹30 per kilogram lower than those recorded at the end of April, leaving farmers under financial stress.

In addition to price volatility, viral diseases and extreme summer temperatures have severely affected shrimp cultivation. Diseases such as VHP, White Spot, White Gut, and White Feces Syndrome have reduced survival and growth rates, forcing many farmers to harvest early to minimise losses. With production costs exceeding market returns, several farmers have reduced shrimp stocking for the current season.