Andhra shrimp woes: Prices down, demand weak; fishermen struggle to stay afloat

VISAKHAPATNAM: Unremunerative prices and weak demand in the export market for brown shrimp have raised concerns among mechanised boat operators in Andhra Pradesh. In 2021, brown prawns fetched 450 per kg, but the price has since dropped to 400.Many fishing crews embarking on their first short voyages of the season - lasting six to 10 days - are returning with sizable catches of brown shrimp, while some manage to trap a smaller quantity of tiger shrimp. Fisherfolk report hauls of 200-250 kg of brown shrimp and 10-20 kg of tiger shrimp per boat. However, the mechanised boat operators argue that current prices for brown shrimp remain unviable.