Material shrimp forecast to increase

VIETNAM - Despite the price decreases in certain other sea products, material shrimp has increased, and the trend will continue according to the Trade Research Institute.

The price for 6/8 sugpo prawn with heads removed, for export to Japan, is currently at $16.70 per kilogram, up by 2% over March. Boiled 21/25 sushi shrimp are at $12.20 per kilogram (up 2%), and boiled 21/25 P&D shrimp, exported to the US, is at $12.20 per kilogram, up by 3%.

In the domestic market, tiger prawn sells at VND160,000 per kilogram in Quang Ninh Province (20 units per kilogram), while prawn is at VND220,000 per kilogram (15-20 units), up by 10% compared to the previous month.

According to the institute, shrimp prices have continued to rise while other kinds of seafood are decreasing, and says the change is due to a continued shortage of input materials. The shortage has caused many seafood processors to run at lower capacity and many have had to refuse orders.

Analysts say shrimp are dying in the Cuu Long (Mekong) River Delta. Officials from the local departments for agriculture and rural development attribute the problem to pollution, changing ecological conditions and poor breeding practices. Poor knowledge on aquaculture among farmers has also spread diseases among stocks.

Source: VietNamNet