Revival of Bangladesh's Shrimp Industry: Recovery Signs Appear

The shrimp industry in Khulna, once a major export of Bangladesh, had declined due to global competition and the growth of vannamei shrimp farming in neighboring countries. However, after years of stagnation, the industry is showing signs of recovery, driven by measures from the Department of Fisheries and ambitious goals to double shrimp exports within the next five years. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), shrimp exports from Khulna over the last five years totalled Tk 113 billion, with authorities setting an ambitious goal to double that figure. The Department of Fisheries data reveal that the region exported 1,53,388 metric tonnes of fish between FY2020 and FY2025, generating Tk 134.56 billion in revenue, with shrimp accounting for 1,02,339.629 tonnes.

Key Takeaways:

• The Department of Fisheries has rolled out a series of measures to restore the industry's lost luster, including advanced training in shrimp cultivation, supplying equipment to farmers, and promoting cluster-based farming to increase yields.
• The Khulna office of the Department of Fisheries has targeted 10,750 farmers for training and has supplied equipment to 7,500 of them.
• Biosecurity and hygiene measures are being enforced to ensure better quality, and officials are encouraging farmers to pursue third-party certification for improved prices in international markets.
• The region once had 63 shrimp processing companies, but declining production and global market demand forced 33 to close, with some companies still operating despite increased bank interest rates and rising electricity bills.
• Exporters say shrimp remains vital to the national economy, but falling demand and prices in Europe, coupled with irregular payments from foreign buyers, have hurt earnings.
• Viral outbreaks have further dented production, while the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and domestic political turbulence compounded challenges.
• Stakeholders in Khulna believe that, with continued policy support and improved production standards, the 'white gold' can reclaim its former glory and secure an even stronger foothold in the global seafood market.

Statistics:

• Shrimp exports from Khulna over the last five years totalled Tk 113 billion (Tk 11,300 crore).
• The Department of Fisheries aims to double this figure within the next five years.
• The region exported 1,53,388 metric tonnes of fish between FY2020 and FY2025, generating Tk 134.56 billion (Tk 13,456 crore) in revenue.
• Shrimp accounted for 1,02,339.629 tonnes, bringing in Tk 113.01 billion (Tk 11,301 crore) in revenue.
• In FY2024-25 alone, Khulna produced 1,23,151.17 metric tonnes of shrimp, with 19,512 tonnes exported - earning Tk 24.99 billion (Tk 2,499 crore).
• The shrimp export rate for the region during the year stood at 42.19 per cent.

Sources:

• Export Promotion Bureau (EPB)
• Department of Fisheries
• Lipton Sardar, Divisional Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Officer in Khulna
• Tariqul Islam Zahir, Senior Vice President of the Frozen Foods Exporters Association