The company is a subsidiary of CP Foods © CP Foods
A subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Foods, Homegrown Shrimp's facility is equipped with 40 circular production tanks and eight tanks to recycle water and collect solid wastes, as well as a state-of-the-art water recirculation system. Additionally, it will operate a hatchery at the site with the capacity to produce more than 60 million post-larvae (PLs) annually. The farm will produce up to 720 tonnes of shrimp annually, via four crops per year.
“This marks a significant step for [CP Foods] as it expands its presence in the developed market of the United States while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability,” the company said in a press release.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on 30 March, CPF executive vice-president, Robins McIntosh, who has led the development of the farm, called it an “innovative, industry-changing pioneering effort.”
“It is with disruptive technology being developed and optimized here that aquaculture becomes one of the solutions for our deteriorating oceans. Our mantra is ‘Saving the oceans and helping feed people through aquaculture.’ Ultimately, as more knowledge is gained and efficiency improved in this facility, we envision these projects locally producing shrimp sustainably year-round anywhere in the world," he said.
Homegrown Shrimp’s hatchery began producing PLs five years ago and now sells them to producers - including fellow operators, in Latin America, Europe, the US and Asia. However, their market-sized shrimp are firmly targetting the high end US market.
“HGS now creates in the US a much-desired, premium, wholesome and sustainable shrimp that consumers can enjoy and also feel good about consuming it,” McIntosh said.
