United News of Bangladesh

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Thursday (January 15, 2026) suspended all new and existing approvals for importing shrimp fry for Vannamei farming, citing risks of disease transmission and environmental pollution linked to the exotic species. In a media release issued in the afternoon, the ministry said the decision was taken following a high-level meeting held on January 7, chaired by Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, to review the environmental, social and economic impacts of Vannamei shrimp farming in Bangladesh and determine future actions. Read more: Safe, quality shrimp production must be prioritised: Adviser Farida The meeting noted that Vannamei shrimp is an import-dependent species and that the import of its fry poses risks of disease outbreaks, environmental degradation, and adverse impacts on indigenous species, including Bagda (black tiger shrimp) and Galda (freshwater prawn). In this context, participants opined that unregulated expansion of Vannamei shrimp farming would not be appropriate. The discussion emphasised keeping Vannamei shrimp farming limited to controlled, intensive and environmentally compliant systems. It was also decided that the activities of already approved Vannamei farmers would be closely monitored, with on-site evaluations to ensure full compliance with stipulated farming conditions. Until such evaluations are completed, all forms of new and existing approvals for importing Vannamei shrimp fry will remain suspended, the media release said. The meeting further decided to undertake necessary research to assess the environmental, social and economic impacts of Vannamei shrimp farming. Future policy and administrative decisions will be taken based on the findings of these studies. At the same time, the ministry underscored the need to prioritise the expansion of domestic shrimp farming by boosting the production of indigenous Bagda and Galda shrimp, rather than relying on imported species, and to take up suitable projects to support this goal. Read more: Human chain demands enforcement of law to stop saline shrimp farming in cropland Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber, Additional Director General of the Department of Fisheries Md Zia Haider Chowdhury, senior ministry officials, and fisheries officers from relevant districts, also attended the meeting.

Bangladesh’s shrimp industry, once a $500 million export engine but now earning less than $300 million, could scale up to $5 billion within five years with the right policy support, industry leaders say. An analysis of export data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) shows that in the 2015-16 fiscal year, the country earned $529 million from shrimp exports. Since then, exports have dropped sharply. While shrimp exports rose by 19 percent in the 2024-25 fiscal year, the figure is still far from the sector’s past heights. Addressing why this promising industry has faltered and whether the current upward trend signals a strong future, Professor Asif Wares Newaz of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University’s Department of Fishing and Post-Harvest Technology said that the use of antibiotics against international standards, White Spot Disease in Bagda shrimp, and issues like jelly-pushing and using inappropriate antibiotics have negatively affected shrimp exports. “Even if exporters process shrimp properly, most farmers remain outside monitoring. Without monitoring disease detection, control measures, and proper drug use, regaining lost reputation will be challenging,” he explained. Asif added that Belgium once was a major market for Bangladeshi shrimp. That market is now dominated by India, the Netherlands, and Vietnam. India alone exports nearly $100 million worth of shrimp to this market, while Bangladesh’s share remains below $25 million. Shrimp: Khulna’s ‘white gold’ eyes Tk 22,600cr export goal Entrepreneurs believe Bangladesh has the potential to compete with India in shrimp exports. “India produces shrimp on 102,000 hectares of land. Bangladesh cultivates over 250,000 hectares. Yet India produces over one million metric tons of shrimp, while Bangladesh produces around 100,000 metric tons of Bagda shrimp,” said SK Kamrul Alam, vice president of the Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association (BFFEA). Kamrul noted that India’s lead is primarily due to its production of Vannamei (white leg) shrimp. Bangladesh received approval to produce Vannamei shrimp several years ago but has not yet started exports. He said leveraging Bangladesh’s shrimp farming land for Vannamei production could break records in exports. “Once Vannamei shrimp exports start, it will be possible to earn $5 billion solely from shrimp by 2030,” Kamrul added. Experimental Vannamei shrimp farming began in 2021 at the research center in Paikgacha, Khulna. The following year, eight companies received experimental cultivation permission, followed by approval for four more firms. Commercial production began last year. Businessmen cite bureaucratic delays as a major reason for the slow roll-out of Vannamei farming. They said an investment of 2–2.5 million Vannamei shrimp could yield sales worth BDT 4.5 million. “Per hectare, Bagda production is around 500 kg, while Vannamei yields 12–15 tons. Eighty percent of the world’s shrimp exports are Vannamei. Yet we are still stuck with Bagda shrimp. Bureaucratic hurdles delayed approval for almost a decade,” said Kamrul. 500 shrimp enclosures washed away after an embankment collapsed  in Satkhira Farmers, however, still face challenges obtaining permits for Vannamei shrimp farming. Farmers in Satkhira and Bagerhat said that special approval from the Department of Fisheries is required, which is a lengthy process, preventing them from taking advantage of this profitable crop. “Vannamei shrimp farming requires compliance with multiple guidelines. While it can yield 30–50 percent profit, high initial investment deters common farmers,” said Awal Haque, a shrimp farmer from Shyamnagar, Satkhira. Seafood manufacturers say they are ready to enter contract farming with shrimp farmers once Vannamei cultivation starts, which would reduce costs for farmers and ensure profits for companies. BFFEA Senior Vice President Tariqul Islam Zaheer emphasized that adequate preparation is essential before starting Vannamei shrimp exports. “Initial investment exceeds BDT 2 million. If farmers are not properly trained, starting Vannamei cultivation could backfire. Training is needed for pond preparation and shrimp rearing practices,” he said. Zaheer also highlighted old challenges in shrimp farming, noting that despite being a large sector, farmers have no insurance, and loans for shrimp farming do not enjoy special benefits. Even with low-interest loans available for other crops, fish farmers get no similar support. Subsidies in electricity for fish farming are also absent. Faced with these difficulties, many farmers are filling ponds and moving to land-based farming, causing the fading of the once-famous “white gold” shrimp legacy. “Although exports reportedly increased, the real picture is different. The rise largely reflects higher dollar prices, not actual export volumes,” Zaheer said. BFFEA members revealed that while around 100 companies are engaged in shrimp exports, 70 have shut down due to raw material shortages. Without government support, there are fears that the sector could collapse again. Read more: Chinese Ambassador expresses interest in importing hilsa from Bangladesh Experts also stress the need for further research on the genetics of Vannamei shrimp. Unlocking the genetic potential, as done with hilsa and jute, could enable Bangladesh to produce high-quality shrimp seedlings adapted to its climate, reducing reliance on harmful antibiotics. Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Farida Akhter, told UNB that while shrimp farming has potential, Bangladesh is yet to fully benefit. The ministry is observing how countries like Vietnam and India are succeeding and will soon introduce business-friendly measures for shrimp farming. “One cannot look only at the business side; climate and environmental factors also matter. In areas like Satkhira-Bagerhat, lands have been illegally acquired for shrimp farming, increasing salinity and reducing crop yields. Scientific decisions are needed,” she said. Farida added that low-interest loans are being arranged for fish farmers. Steps have been taken to free farmers from predatory lending and restrictive enclosures, and special emphasis is being placed on subsidised electricity. BFFEA has independently prepared a research report on measures to boost shrimp farming. They will soon present their findings to the government, believing that with support, Bangladesh can revolutionize shrimp exports and reclaim its “White Gold” legacy. Read more: Shrimp: Khulna’s ‘white gold’ eyes Tk 22,600cr export goal

Shrimp, once known as the ‘white gold’ of Bangladesh’s southwest and a major export from Khulna, has declined due to fierce global competition and the growth of vannamei shrimp farming in neighbouring countries. Now, after years of stagnation, the sector is showing signs of recovery as the Department of Fisheries has rolled out a series of measures aimed at restoring the industry’s lost luster, and the results are beginning to show. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), shrimp exports from Khulna over the last five years totalled Tk 11,300 crore. Authorities have now set an ambitious goal to double that figure within the next five years. Department of Fisheries data reveal that the region exported 1,53,388 metric tonnes of fish between FY2020 and FY2025, generating Tk 13,456 crore in revenue. Of this, shrimp accounted for 1,02,339.629 tonnes, bringing in Tk 11,301 crore. 500 shrimp enclosures washed away after an embankment collapsed  in Satkhira In FY2024-25 alone, Khulna produced 1,23,151.17 metric tonnes of shrimp, with 19,512 tonnes exported — earning Tk 2,499 crore. The shrimp export rate for the region during the year stood at 42.19%. To boost output, the Khulna office of the Department of Fisheries has adopted several strategic initiatives. These include advanced training in shrimp cultivation for 10,750 farmers, supplying equipment to 7,500 of them, and promoting cluster-based farming to help traditional farmers multiply their yields two- to fivefold. Demonstrations under ‘Field Days’ are motivating farmers, while biosecurity and hygiene measures are being enforced to ensure better quality. Officials are also encouraging farmers to pursue third-party certification for improved prices in international markets. Lipton Sardar, Divisional Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Officer in Khulna, stressed the need for long-term, shrimp-focused projects. “There needs to be a dedicated policy framework for shrimp, including zoning of shrimp farming areas, infrastructure development, timely supply of disease-free larvae and guaranteed access to quality feed,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of strict testing of fry, feed, medicines and chemicals, alongside the establishment of a separate staffing structure to oversee production and quality control in shrimp-rich districts. “Building institutional capacity to diagnose and treat shrimp diseases, while ensuring responsible practices among exporters, is essential to restore buyer confidence,” Sardar added. Tariqul Islam Zahir, Senior Vice President of the Frozen Foods Exporters Association, said the region once had 63 shrimp processing companies, but declining production and global market demand forced 33 to close. “Despite increased bank interest rates and rising electricity bills, some companies are still operating. The frozen shrimp sector is now beginning to recover,” he said, urging the government to provide subsidies for power and production costs. Exporters say shrimp remains vital to the national economy. However, falling demand and prices in Europe, coupled with irregular payments from foreign buyers, have hurt earnings. Viral outbreaks have further dented production, while the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and domestic political turbulence compounded challenges. Repeated shipment cancellations pushed many exporters to the brink of collapse. Yet a recent surge in exports has rekindled hope across the industry. Stakeholders in Khulna believe that, with continued policy support and improved production standards, the ‘white gold’ can reclaim its former glory and secure an even stronger foothold in the global seafood market. Read more: Khulna falls short of jute production target for lack of incentives

The government has approved the commercial cultivation of vannamei shrimp -- also known as king prawn -- in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock approved the cultivation of vannamei shrimp in a letter to the Director General of the Fisheries Department on March 29. At the same time, guidelines for commercial shrimp cultivation in Bangladesh were provided. Vannamei shrimp now accounts for 77 percent of the world's shrimp trade. This species of shrimp – also known as the whiteleg shrimp is now being commercially cultivated in 62 countries.  Of these, 15 are in Asia. The demand for vannamei shrimp in the global market is high as the price is lower than that of Bagda shrimp. Read more: Climate change: Shrimp farming endangered in Khulna Bangladesh’s shrimp export has been in decline in the past few years as the country mainly cultivates and exports freshwater shrimp species such as black tiger shrimp, or ‘bagda’, and scampi shrimp, or ‘galda’. Exporters have been urging the government to allow commercial cultivation of King Prawn. The shrimp exporters of Khulna thanked the authorities for implementing their long-standing demand. Meanwhile, local shrimp producers have expressed concern over the development as they’re not well equipped to produce vannamei shrimp locally.  Abdur Rahim, a local shrimp producer from Khulna’s Paikgacha upazila said: “If the commercial cultivation of vannamei shrimp starts locally, we will face a huge loss in terms of shrimp production as the demand will decrease in the market.” Read more: Shrimp farmers in Bagerhat stare at starvation Among the shrimp exporting countries of Asia, commercial cultivation of the king shrimp was banned only in Bangladesh. Following approval from the Fisheries Department of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry, Vannamei Shrimp has been harvested experimentally in six ponds of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) in Khulna’s Paikgacha upazila. And it has demonstrated significant commercial potential. What is vannamei shrimp? The vannamei species of shrimp, popularly known as the king prawn, is originally from the US state of Hawaii. Neighbouring India began commercial cultivation of vannamei shrimp in 2008. Meanwhile, in 1998, Thailand and China started commercial vannamei shrimp cultivation. Read More: Vannamei Shrimp pilot project shows commercial potential In 1987, the Philippines initiated commercial vannamei shrimp cultivation. Myanmar and Vietnam entered the market in the year 2000. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Global Aquaculture Alliance, The global vannamei shrimp production in 2018 was 35.5 lakh metric tons, while the bagda and galda shrimp production was 5.5 lakh metric tons and 2.4 lakh metric tons respectively. Apart from this, 3 lakh metric tons of other species of shrimps have been produced. Of the total global production of vannamei shrimp in 2018, 23.91 lakh metric tons were produced in China, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In 2019, production in these countries increased to 31.12 lakh metric tons while Bangladesh's contribution to the market remained zero. According to experts, commercial production and export of Vanami shrimp can earn 3 to 4 billion US dollars in revenue and it will help Bangladesh regain its position in the global shrimp market. Read More: Shrimp industry reels from changing demand patterns, slump in world economy

Bangladesh’s shrimp export industry was already facing major declines, as 72 percent of the world’s shrimp market is occupied by vannamei shrimp, also known as white leg shrimp, while the country mainly exports black tiger shrimp, or ‘bagda’, and scampi shrimp, or ‘galda’. According to industry sources, Bangladesh's shrimp export business suffered another major setback as the current global economic slump also took a heavy toll on the world's food market. As a result, one of the major export items of Bangladesh, shrimp, has lost 80 percent of its previous demand on the world market. On top of that, export prices decreased by 40 percent. Read More: Exporters worry about losing markets as shrimp adulteration continues unabated Exporters and traders urged the government to approve commercial vannamei farming promptly. “Due to the high demand for vannamei shrimp in the world market, bagda and golda shrimp are gradually losing market share in the western market. Against the backdrop of the ongoing global economic recession, demand for bagda and galda shrimp from Bangladesh dropped by 80% in the previous year,” said S. Humayun Kabir, vice president of the Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters’ Association.

Despite drives by police, Rab and the Fisheries Department in Bagerhat over the past few years to stop adulteration of shrimp, the unscrupulous practices of dishonest traders continue unabated. Shrimps from Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts are exported to several countries. Injecting jelly, water, rice starch, and harmful substances into shrimps to increase their weight and earn extra profits are causing concern among exporters and consumers. Shrimp exporters fear they may lose the overseas markets if shrimp adulteration continues. Shrimp was once the second-most exported product from Bangladesh but in the last few years it failed to hold up against the growing global competition and currently holds the seventh position among top exported goods from Bangladesh. Read more: Over 1000 kg shrimps injected with jelly seized in Chandpur In the last six months (July-December), mobile courts in Bagerhat seized some 1,660 kg of shrimp while traders were injecting jelly-like substances into them. Executive magistrates and the Bagerhat District Fisheries Office (DFO) conducted 17 mobile court drives in various areas of the district, including Bagerhat Sadar, Fakirhat, Mollahat, Chitalmari, Rampal, and Mongla during the period.

Shrimp once held the second spot in top export goods from Bangladesh but in the last few years it failed to hold up against the growing competition and fell down to seventh. Traders and exporters involved in frozen shrimp export have been demanding approval for commercial production of Vannamei Shrimps in Bangladesh instead of Freshwater Prawns (Golda Shrimp) and Tiger Prawns (Bagda) as its export to European and American markets can bring back the golden days of shrimp export. Fourteen of the 15 countries that cultivate shrimps in Asia and export to Europe, USA and other large importers have already been commercially producing Vannamei Shrimp and exporting it while Bangladesh lags far behind, SM Humayun Kabir President of Bangladesh Frozen food Exporters Association told UNB. Also read: Virus cripples Satkhira shrimp sector; farmers counting huge losses Country’s export figure of shrimp from Fiscal Year 2013-14 to 2020-21 shows a steady decline. In FY 2013-14 Bangladesh earned USD550 million by exporting shrimp, in FY 2017-18 it came down to USD 409 million, and finally in FY 2020-21 it came down to 329 USD million, according to the data of Fisheries Department and Export Promotion Bureau. How Vannamei can replace Bagda and Golda? Currently, there are 105 approved frozen food processing factories in Bangladesh but only 60 of them are operating due to the struggle for the shortage of raw materials. Also read: Climate change: Shrimp farming endangered in Khulna In Bangladesh, 2, 58,000 hectares of land are used for shrimp farming where 300 to 400 kg of Golda and Bagda shrimps per hectare are produced in 160 days. But as the Golda and Bagda shrimps cannot be produced in any land more than twice a year the production cost of these shrimps becomes very high. Comparatively high-yielding Vannamei Shrimp, with low production cost and easy availability, has been dominating the global market while Bangladesh’s shrimp industry suffers. Read More: Shrimp farmers in Bagerhat stare at starvation Recently, the Fisheries Department has given conditional approval to conduct two pilot projects for harvesting Vannamei Shrimp on 10 acres of land. According to project results, in just 110 days 10 to 15 MT of Vannamei shrimp can be produced per hectares of land which is quite high compared to 300-400 Kg of Bagda and Golda shrimp production in 160 days, said Prafulla Kumar Roy, owner Jagannath Balaram Subhadra hatchery contracted for the pilot project. Vannamei Shrimp can also be produced thrice in the same land in one year, he said. Read More: Chandpur: Coast Guard seizes 1MT shrimps inflated with jelly Shyamal Kumar Das, another owner of hatchery under the project said if the experimental initiative taken by the Fisheries Department to commercialise Vannamei shrimp production is implemented, it will be possible to produce four to six lakh MTs of shrimp like Bangladesh and India within the next five years. President of Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association SM Humayun Kabir said, commercial production and export of Vanami shrimp can earn 3 to 4 billion US dollars revenue and it will help Bangladesh regain its position in the global shrimp market. Khodeza Begum, a housewife who came to Gallamari market of Khulna to buy shrimp said Vanamei shrimps are cheap and delicious. Read More: Vannamei Shrimp pilot project shows commercial potential Rabiul Sheikh, a fish seller said that the demand for this shrimp was low in the beginning, but it is increasing day by day. Prasenjit, who looks after Vannamei shrimp farming pilot project, said that harvesting of this shrimp does not have any adverse impact on nature rather vegetables can be cultivated around the shrimp enclosure. According to the pilot project data, 77 percent of the world’s shrimp market is occupied by Vannamei Shrimp. As production of this fish isn’t widespread in Bangladesh, the country has to compete for 23 percent of market share through exporting Freshwater Prawn (Golda Shrimp) and Tiger Prawn (Bagda) shrimp. Read More: Satkhira flood washes away Tk8.28 crore worth of fish, crab, shrimp.

Producers and exporters in Khulna are worried about falling production of shrimps, affecting exports from the region, for hurdles mainly stemmed from climate-induced changes in temperature. In FY2021-22, only 33,271 tonnes of shrimp were exported from Khulna, a sharp fall from 42,489 tonnes in FY2011-12. Industry operators say water bodies are losing their navigability, salinity level is fluctuating because of weaker force of natural high tides caused by moon’s gravitational pull, affecting the shrimp cultivation in the region. Read: Shrimp farmers in Bagerhat stare at starvation Humayun Kabir, Vice President of Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters’ Association (BFFEA), told UNB that it seemed good days are gone for the shrimp industry. He said shrimp farming in Bangladesh began in the 1960s, and by the 1980s it grew up to an industry as commercial shrimp production led to the export of this fish species. “But it seems like the heyday of the shrimp business is coming to an end. Production is getting lowered, while demand and prices are also falling. All in all, the situation is really dire for those associated with the shrimp industry,” he said. Humayun also pointed out some reasons behind the decline in shrimp production including a shortage of shrimp minnows in the market. “The few minnows that farmers can manage die due to high temperature of water. Minnows are very sensitive. They can’t survive without proper water, food and environment,” he said. “Besides there are regular outbreaks of various diseases. That’s why the mortality of shrimps has increased manifold,” he added. Read: Chandpur: Coast Guard seizes 1MT shrimps inflated with jelly Golam Kibria Ripon, General Secretary of Khulna Division (Shrimp) Fry Trading Association, also said that salinity in the rivers in Khulna has become a major headache. “Usually the water in the rivers of Khulna region becomes saline in January. Last year, salinity of the rivers was delayed to February. Lack of saline water during the harvesting period is affecting shrimp farming badly,” he said. “Although the rate of salinity used to be 16-18 ppt in May-June period, it has come down to 8-10 ppt nowadays.” He said previously 60 to 70 percent of minnows survived after releasing them in hatcheries, but now protecting even 15-20 percent minnows has become a big challenge. Ripon said that dredging of the rivers is a must to keep them navigable. “As the water bodies are drying up due to climate change, finding water for shrimp farming is getting tough. Various species of shrimp minnows used to enter the enclosures during tidal surges in the past, which isn’t the case anymore,” he said. He said the quality of soil beneath the rivers may have degraded too. “All of these issues are making it hard for us to continue shrimp production,” Ripon added. Joydeb Kumar, Fisheries Officer of Khulna District, highlighted various measures that the government has taken to protect shrimp farming. Read:Vannamei Shrimp pilot project shows commercial potential “We’ve advised the farmers to increase the depth of their enclosures to keep water temperature normal. We’re also conducting drives to prevent the injection of harmful substances into the shrimps. Besides, we’re also conducting awareness-raising campaigns with cooperation from the shrimp farmers and manufacturers,” Joydeb said. Dr Mostafa Sarwar, a noted climate expert and Head of Urban and Regional Planning department of Khulna University of Science and Technology (KUET), provided a scientific explanation behind the death of shrimp minnows. “There is a difference between mature shrimps and their minnows regarding heat enduring capacity. Minnows can’t grow naturally in high water temperatures. Farmers release minnows to their enclosures in January-February when water temperature remains around 25 degrees Celsius. In March, water temperature rises to 27 degrees Celsius, which kills a large portion of the minnows,” Mostafa said. Mostafa added that rising water temperature is also responsible for viral infections. “The life cycle of viruses depends on temperature. Viruses present in the air are making hot water their new home, thus infecting minnows and killing them in droves”, Mostafa said.

Already hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, shrimp farmers in Bagerhat district have been dealt another severe blow this year -- incessant showers and consequent tidal surges. This year, shrimps, crabs and different species of fish worth over Tk 6 crore have been swept away by tidal surges with more than 8,000 shrimp enclosures going under water across the southern district, pushing many farmers to the brink of starvation. In Chanditola village of Bagerhat’s Rampal upazila, for instance, most of the farmers have lost their shrimp enclosures to the late-monsoon showers and tidal surges. READ: Bagerhat fruit farmer eyes foreign markets to expand thriving business. The scenario is the same in villages across other upazilas of the district, prompting the District Shrimp Farmers’ Association to demand from the government an insurance scheme for their members to protect them from such unexpected losses.

Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) on Wednesday confiscated 6,050kg (6.05 metric tonnes) of shrimps injected with a harmful jelly-like substance to artificially increase their weight from the Khan Jahan Ali Bridge Toll Plaza, Khulna. It also detained two men – Md Abdur Rahman, 35, and Md Faruk Gazi, 20, according to Lieutenant Commander Labeeb Usama Ahmadullah, Coast Guard media officer. Later, representatives of Fish Inspection and Quality Control ( FIQC) Khulna fined Abdur Rahman, Faruk, and three organisations a cumulative Tk1.30 lakh, Labeeb said. Earlier, on information, a team of BCG Station Rupsha under Coast Guard West Zone carried out a raid in Khan Jahan Ali Bridge Toll Plaza under Rupsha Police Station at 7:55pm. During the drive, the law enforcers searched a Chattogram-bound truck that was being loaded with shrimps injected with the jelly-like substance. Later, representatives of FIQC Khulna fined Abdur Rahman and Faruk Tk30,000, Sabbir Transport Tk50,000, Jamuna Jafar Fish Tk25,000 and Monowara Jafar Fish Tk25,000 for their involvement in filling the shrimps with the jelly-like substance. The seized shrimps were later destroyed. Also read: 700 kgs of shrimp injected with jelly like substance seized in Chandpur