Andhra shrimp feed price hike halted

■ Andhra Pradesh holds a 78% share of the total Indian shrimp market in 2025.

■ In FY 2023-24, India's total shrimp exports exceeded Rs 60,523 crore (US$ 7.38 billion), with

■ Andhra Pradesh accounting for roughly 32% of that total value.

■ Core production districts include East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, and Nellore.

■ The sector supports roughly 2.85 lakh farming families and nearly 3 million livelihoods.

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The shrimp feed manufacturers in Andhra Pradesh have agreed to suspend a planned price hike of feed used in aquaculture following the intervention of state Fisheries Minister K Atchannaidu on Wednesday. The decision comes after manufacturers recently moved to raise feed prices by up to Rs 10 per kg, a move that threatened the narrow margins of the state's aquaculture sector.

The Fisheries minister directed the feed manufacturers to immediately stall the hiked prices, said an official press release on Wednesday. Atchannaidu held a video conference with the representatives of the shrimp feed manufacturers association, aquaculture farmers and officials. He emphasised that no unilateral decision will be taken which will jeopardise the livelihoods of farmers, and the state government’s primary goal is to protect their interests.

He assured that the state government will extend support to the aquaculture sector.

It may be noted that feed companies had increased the price of Vannamei shrimp feed by Rs 8 per kilogram and Tiger shrimp feed by Rs 10 per kilogram. The sector supports roughly 2.85 lakh farming families and nearly 3 million livelihoods.

Shrimp farmers across the state are already facing escalating input costs, fluctuating market prices and financial stress, and any further increase in feed prices would severely impact profitability. Under the APSADA Act, feed manufacturers are required to hold consultations with farmer associations before implementing any price revision. However, several companies allegedly ignored the mandatory process and went ahead with the hike without stakeholder discussions.

Andhra Pradesh is one of India’s largest aquaculture-producing states, with shrimp farming serving as a major source of employment and export revenue, particularly in coastal districts such as West Godavari, Krishna, Nellore and East Godavari. Industry observers say any sharp increase in feed prices could have a cascading impact on production costs and export competitiveness.