Shrimp export on wane

Shrimp export from Khulna zone is on the wane mainly because of dearth of fry and virus infection in shrimp farms.

At least sixty per cent fish farms have been affected by virus infection in Khulna zone, causing decline in production, exporters said. More over, acute shortage of quality shrimp fry is also hampering the shrimp cultivation, they added.

According to District Fisheries Department, seventy per cent of the country's processed frozen shrimps are exported from Khulna zone.

Exporters also said that after the September 11 attack on the US export order has also declined sharply. Besides, prices of processed frozen shrimps have also fallen in the international market.

Shrimps worth Tk 556 crore were exported from Khulna zone during first five months of 2002-2003 financial year. Exporters said the trend shows decline in the export trade.

Frozen shrimps worth Tk 987.73 crore were exported from Khulna zone during 1998-99 financial year which rose to Tk 1200 crore during 1999-2000 and Tk 1424.79 crore during 2000-2001.

Price was decreased by about fifty per cent in the international market after the September 11 attack.

The slump in the export has already cast an adverse impact on the local industry. Some 23 out of 43 frozen fish processing factories in Khulna zone have been closed down due to dull business.

Sources with the Export Promotion Bureau said foreign buyers have switched their business to India, Vietnam and Thailand.

According to official sources, there are 4,000 fish farms in Khulna district, seven thousand Satkhira district and 3,400 in Bagerhat district.