Rumours of export disruption trigger panic selling by aqua farmers in Andhra Pradesh

Rumours about disruption of international shipping services from major ports have triggered panic selling among aqua farmers in Andhra Pradesh.

India exports seafood products to about 128 countries, including the U.S., Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, the Middle East, Canada, Italy, Russia, the European Union and Southeast Asian nations.

Shrimp and fish are being cultivated in about four lakh acres in East Godavari, Eluru, West Godavari, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Krishna, Visakhapatnam, Nellore, Prakasam and Guntur districts, besides other coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh.

According to officials, the Marine Products Export Development Authority shipped 17,81,602 metric tonnes of seafood products during 2023.24. Andhra Pradesh accounted for about 30 to 35% of the exports, valued at nearly ₹21,000 crore.

India exports marine products through ports such as Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Krishnapatnam, Pipavav, Kakinada, Thoothukudi, Mumbai and Goa.

However, the ongoing Israel. Iran war and its ripple effects in some Gulf countries have reportedly disrupted shipments at a few ports, creating panic among aquaculture traders and farmers in the State.

Farmers have reportedly begun harvesting shrimp prematurely and selling the produce at lower prices in the domestic market over the past few days.

“I sold 60-count shrimp at ₹220 per kg, which usually fetches around ₹300. As there are huge arrivals in the market and farmers are rushing to harvest, prices are falling,” said a farmer, S. Ramakrishna.

“Even the 30-40 count Vannamei prawns, which normally have good demand in the international market, are now being sold for about ₹250 to ₹280 per kg,” said Shyamala Devi, who visited a fish market in Vijayawada.

Speaking to The Hindu on Sunday, Fisheries Commissioner Ramashankar Naik said the ongoing conflict has little impact on marine exports from Andhra Pradesh.

“We held a meeting with seafood exporters a couple of days ago and they said the impact of the war on shipments is minimal,” Mr. Ramashankar Naik said.

He added that a meeting with representatives of the A. P. Prawn Farmers’ Welfare Association, the Shrimp Farmers Association and traders would be held on Monday to discuss the issue.

Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority Vice-Chairman Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy said farmers need not panic over the ongoing conflict.

“We are exporting seafood mainly to the U.S., China, Japan, the European Union, Vietnam and Thailand, where there is no war impact. I appeal to farmers not to resort to panic selling,” Mr. Venkata Ramana Reddy said. He also urged social media users not to spread false information that could create unnecessary panic among farmers.