W38: Shrimp Update

In W38 in the shrimp landscape, the Norwegian Seafood Council reported that Norway witnessed a notable increase in shrimp exports in Aug-23, with 1.7 thousand metric tons (mt) of shrimp valued at USD 11.1 million (NOK 120 million), an 11% year-over-year (YoY) increase. The most significant shrimp markets for Norway in Aug-23 were Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK), and Denmark. Ukraine, however, stood out with the most substantial increase in shrimp value, experiencing a growth of USD 1.3 million (NOK 14 million) compared to Aug-22. Ukraine currently ranks as the 6th largest market for Norwegian shrimp and is notably the fastest-growing market for frozen shell shrimp. These developments underscore the growing demand for healthy protein sources like shrimp, with Norway emerging as a crucial supplier to meet this demand. The export volume decline observed in Aug-23 was due to reduced exports of frozen raw industrial shrimp to Iceland.

Individuals and entities involved in the shrimp sector must secure a ministerial agreement from the Undersecretariat of Aquaculture to operate in Ecuador. This is part of Executive Decree 876, issued on September 15, 2023, which requires those without the governing body's authorization to include shrimp activities in their Single Taxpayer Registry (RUC). The National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) believes this will strengthen billing controls and reduce informality in the largest export sector in Ecuador. Commencing any aquaculture activities in Ecuador necessitates obtaining a ministerial agreement, and individuals or entities already holding an RUC must present this agreement to the tax authority by March 31, 2024. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to the SRI (Internal Revenue Service) removing the shrimp sector activities from the Single Taxpayer Registry or deregistering them altogether.

In Iran, the prohibition on tiger shrimp fishing in Bushehr province and Bahrkan fishing grounds in Khuzestan has been incorporated into a comprehensive fishing ban encompassing all fishing grounds. As of September 24, no licenses for shrimp fishing have been issued, and fishing activities will remain prohibited until further notice. The Aquatic Resources Protection Unit, under the General Directorate of Fisheries, is prepared to initiate legal actions against any individuals or entities found in violation of this ban. The primary objective of this ban is to enhance shrimp stocks and mitigate the adverse impacts of trawl nets on the ecosystem.

Cambodia has successfully exported 45 kilograms (kg) of live mantis shrimp to the Chinese market for the first time, and the shipment arrived on September 16, 2023, following permission from China Customs. On September 14, Cambodia also exported ten tons of frozen eels and frozen freshwater shrimps to the Chinese market. On May-23, over ten natural aquatic products from Cambodia, including freshwater shrimp, pangasius, eel, and mantis shrimp, were allowed to be exported to China.

Lastly, the Department of Agriculture (DOA) in the Philippines is optimistic about the continued growth of shrimp and prawn production in 2023, despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The overall production reached 33 thousand mt during the first half of 2023, higher by about 1 thousand mt than the harvest in the first six months of 2022. By the end of 2023, the industry is expected to produce over 91 thousand mt of shrimp and prawns, 4% more than the 87.7 thousand mt harvested in 2022. The Philippines is actively seeking trade opportunities with the United States (US), China, and Western Europe and should focus on promoting organized aquaculture farmers, particularly in disease and water quality monitoring. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is collaborating with the DA-BFAR Hipon Iangat ang Produksyon to enhance shrimp production and promote sustainable agricultural practices, aiming for global competitiveness.