11 January 2011
Iran's shrimp production will reach 6,000 tons by the end of the current Iranian year (March 21), head of Iran's Fisheries Organization (IFO) Aminollah Taqavi Motlaq said.
Taqavi Motlaq cited market recovery, proper protection against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection, and financial facilities for shrimp farmers as contributing factors, IRNA reported.
The official put the amount of shrimp production in the previous Iranian year at 5,000 tons.
Referring to IFO's policy to expand the industry, he underlined that the organization is trying to promote the sector.
"IFO plans to promote shrimp industry, but due to reluctance of domestic banks, it has put on agenda drawing foreign investment in this respect," Taqavi Motlaq noted.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of Iran Seafood Farm and Exports Cooperatives Arsalan Qasemi pointed to existence of over 2,000 km of coastline in south of the country, saying Iran has the capacity to produce close to 400,000 tons of shrimp annually.
Qasemi continued that based on FAO statistics, global shrimp output stands at three million tons, of which 1.2 million tons are produced in China.
US, European Union, Japan and China are the major shrimp markets.
Currently shrimp price is ranged between 5 and 24 euros. Iranian shrimp is traded at 6-6.5 euros in global markets.
Export Incentives
However, speculations on removing export incentives have caused worries among shrimp producers and exporters.
Secretary of Iran Shrimp Producers Association Ali Akbar Khodaei warned that once the incentives are removed, the shrimp industry will be in danger of total destruction .
Shrimp fishing has been prevalent in Iran since old times. Persian Gulf and Oman Sea are the potential lands for breeding shrimp.
According to Khodaei, shrimp industry was established across Hormuzgan and Khuzestan provinces in 1991 through launching shrimp breeding farms.
Shrimp breeding farms were also launched across Sistan-Baluchestan province in 1995.
During the early years of the industry, the shrimp output grew significantly and reached 10,000 tons annually. However it witnessed a downward trend due to negligence. Currently, the figure has reached 5,000 tons per year.
Those active in the industry blame lack of liquidity for failure of Iran's shrimp industry. Since shrimp farmers have failed to pay their debts, the banking system has lost faith in this industry.
Shrimp industry needs government support. Shrimp breeding and harvest in Persian Gulf coasts face many problems, reducing the willingness of investors to invest in the industry. Khodaei said about 180,000 hectares of lands for shrimp breeding have been indentified across four provinces.
Once the banking system seriously supports the shrimp industry by supplying the required liquidity, the business will generate close to 300,000 jobs in southern coasts and earn millions of foreign currency for the country.
Apart from economic advantages, generation of new jobs and boosting welfare in deprived regions, expansion of shrimp industry in Southern coastline, Persian Gulf and Oman Seas will lead to environmental and security improvements.
Given the reduction in aquatic reserves in Oman Sea and Persian Gulf, Qasemi warned that many fishermen would lose their jobs. This will create economic and social problems in the region, he added.
Iran's shrimp production will reach 6,000 tons by the end of the current Iranian year (March 21), head of Iran's Fisheries Organization (IFO) Aminollah Taqavi Motlaq said.
Taqavi Motlaq cited market recovery, proper protection against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection, and financial facilities for shrimp farmers as contributing factors, IRNA reported.
The official put the amount of shrimp production in the previous Iranian year at 5,000 tons.
Referring to IFO's policy to expand the industry, he underlined that the organization is trying to promote the sector.
"IFO plans to promote shrimp industry, but due to reluctance of domestic banks, it has put on agenda drawing foreign investment in this respect," Taqavi Motlaq noted.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of Iran Seafood Farm and Exports Cooperatives Arsalan Qasemi pointed to existence of over 2,000 km of coastline in south of the country, saying Iran has the capacity to produce close to 400,000 tons of shrimp annually.
Qasemi continued that based on FAO statistics, global shrimp output stands at three million tons, of which 1.2 million tons are produced in China.
US, European Union, Japan and China are the major shrimp markets.
Currently shrimp price is ranged between 5 and 24 euros. Iranian shrimp is traded at 6-6.5 euros in global markets.
Export Incentives
However, speculations on removing export incentives have caused worries among shrimp producers and exporters.
Secretary of Iran Shrimp Producers Association Ali Akbar Khodaei warned that once the incentives are removed, the shrimp industry will be in danger of total destruction .
Shrimp fishing has been prevalent in Iran since old times. Persian Gulf and Oman Sea are the potential lands for breeding shrimp.
According to Khodaei, shrimp industry was established across Hormuzgan and Khuzestan provinces in 1991 through launching shrimp breeding farms.
Shrimp breeding farms were also launched across Sistan-Baluchestan province in 1995.
During the early years of the industry, the shrimp output grew significantly and reached 10,000 tons annually. However it witnessed a downward trend due to negligence. Currently, the figure has reached 5,000 tons per year.
Those active in the industry blame lack of liquidity for failure of Iran's shrimp industry. Since shrimp farmers have failed to pay their debts, the banking system has lost faith in this industry.
Shrimp industry needs government support. Shrimp breeding and harvest in Persian Gulf coasts face many problems, reducing the willingness of investors to invest in the industry. Khodaei said about 180,000 hectares of lands for shrimp breeding have been indentified across four provinces.
Once the banking system seriously supports the shrimp industry by supplying the required liquidity, the business will generate close to 300,000 jobs in southern coasts and earn millions of foreign currency for the country.
Apart from economic advantages, generation of new jobs and boosting welfare in deprived regions, expansion of shrimp industry in Southern coastline, Persian Gulf and Oman Seas will lead to environmental and security improvements.
Given the reduction in aquatic reserves in Oman Sea and Persian Gulf, Qasemi warned that many fishermen would lose their jobs. This will create economic and social problems in the region, he added.
© Iran Daily 2011
