The shrimp farming industry in the Philippines

Abstract

The shrimp farming industry in the Philippines is the culture of shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in brackishwater and seawater grow-out farms to marketable size. The industry is highly dependent upon the other sectors/components of the shrimp culture industry, including:<ol style="list-style-type:decimal; margin-left:25px; margin-top: 5px"><li>the shrimp hatcheries for their supply of fry (PLs);</li><li>the feed millers for their supply of commercial pelletized feeds, primarily for semi-intensive and intensive shrimp farms;</li><li>the shrimp processors/exporters for the purchase of their harvests;</li><li>the financial institutions for their capital and operational costs; and</li><li>the research institutions and the government for solutions to technical and other problems.</li></ol>

Such dependence makes shrimp farming vulnerable. Other than that, it is also a high risk business. In addition, monsoon rains, typhoons, and floods can significantly affect shrimp farming. Pollution from watershed activities and from self-generated organic load has resulted in slower shrimp growth, higher susceptibility of shrimp to diseases, and mass mortalities. Widely fluctuating export market prices and demands are also major concerns of the industry.