Friday, June 06, 2008 'White shrimp' to spur Negros shrimp industry
THE head of the Cruz Aquaculture Corp., Philip Cruz, is upbeat that the popularity, acceptability, and marketability of the "white shrimp" (Penaeus Vannamei) species over the "black tiger" (Penaeus Monodon) in the world market is a signal to Negros shrimp industry that it is time to shift gears.
Asian vannamei culture producers alone cover 81 percent of the world market.
Figures from the Negros Prawn Producers showed that presently, there are 650 hectares of active shrimp ponds, which produce 80 percent monodon and only 20 percent vannamei.
"Given all the advantages of growing vannamei, the present 20 percent can be conservatively increased to more than 50 percent. Thus, you would see how the Negros shrimp industry would be revitalized. You would see sprawling shrimp ponds just like in the 80s," Cruz said.
Cruz explained that the Latin American species, more popularly known by its scientific name, vannamei, is disease-free as sources of its broodstocks (parent shrimp) are of reputable sellers unlike the monodon (black tiger), which is sourced from breeders.
"With the high cost of fuel, little wonder that domestic prices of monodon shrimp is more than P300 a kilo. With vannamei, this will be reduced to P200 or less and therefore even the Filipinos can afford to eat shrimp," he added.
Vannamei feeds contain 25 to 30 percent protein while monodon contains 40 to 45 percent protein. Cruz explained that, "since protein produces ammonia, monodon growers change pond water once a week to protect it while vannamei growers change water for more than a month."
"Think of the savings a grower earns with vannamei than with monodon." he added.
The problem, Cruz said, is that "we have not develop the shrimp industry the way Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and others did."
Shrimp, Cruz said, is the only seafood that is expensive enough and exportable to build "value adding" machineries and structures for the production of shrimp party-plates preparation, shrimp cocktail cuisines and ready-to-eat microwavable packages.
"After the economic slump in the 80s, Negros pond owners shifted to milkfish (bangus) and some to mudfish (tilapia). The 650-hectare remaining active shrimp ponds are found mostly in the north, from Victorias, E.B. Magalona, Silay, Talisay while in the south, we have Bago and Pontevedra," Cruz said.
Cruz stressed milkfish and mudfish culture, which makes up most of the ponds in Negros, are not viable enough for world competition.
Besides, five value adding structures closed down in Negros because of disease attacks on monodon, he said.
"For now, we are unable to catch up with our Asian neighbors. With the onset of the vannamei, however, we can serve domestic needs and export at the same time," he added. (GAS)
