Low shrimp prices hit mechanised boat owners

Mechanised boat owners in the state are in a piquant situation. While facing a situation of poor shrimp catches, they now are getting lower prices for their catch.

The shrimp purchase prices offered by seafood exporters have fallen by Rs 30-50 per kg as compared to prices in April.

The Andhra Pradesh Mechanised Fishing Boat Operators' Association has resented the unilateral move by exporters to reduce purchase prices. It has also alleged that the exporters are not revealing the prevailing international prices to the boat operators.

The association president, PC Appa Rao, said they had demanded a meeting of exporters and boat operators to resolve the issue.

Two days back, the Andhra Pradesh chapter of Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) has announced the new prices for sea food like Tiger shrimp and brown and white varieties of shrimps.

In April, the purchase prices per kg announced by SEAI for Tiger shrimp were Rs 737 for 10-count, Rs 619 for 15-count, Rs 525 for 20-count and Rs 431 for 30-count.

White variety shrimp prices were Rs 501 for 20-count, Rs 456 for 30-count, Rs 375 for 40-count, Rs 293 for 50-count Rs 253 for 60-count and Rs 208 for 70-count.

Brown variety shrimp rates were Rs 323 for 30-count, Rs 314 for 40-count, Rs 243 for 50-count, Rs 224 for 60-count and Rs 183 for 70-count.

The prices eased as mechanised boats, which set out on high seas from June 1, have started arriving with their shrimp catch. The exporters' move comes in the wake of two Japanese buyers offering a dollar less than the April month prices, K P Gupta, executive secretary of SEAI's AP chapter, said.

Appa Rao said, "Boat operators are losing heavily due to poor catches. We have not agreed to the new rates announced by exporters and we have asked them to conduct a joint meeting to discuss new rates. We are also demanding proof of purchase orders from the Japanese buyers."