Madagascar: Shrimp Farming Restarts

The shrimp industry out of the crisis. After three and a half years of closure, the group announced the reopening of Unima site Besalampy of shrimp. The filling of ponds began Friday and normally the first production is expected in six months. This decision was taken following an upturn in the global market for shrimp, boosted by surging demand from China. Unima has therefore today, with the Aquaculture Mahajamba (Aqualma), two farms that will operate at full capacity.

Luxury goods

"The market is now with the demand from China, importing up to 450,000 tonnes per year. The reopening of the site Besalampy, with a local partner, was decided after this observation , "said Vincent Rigolet, COO of the company Aqualma.

Besalampy farm was closed in June 2008. At the time, the global financial crisis has greatly affected the market for shrimp. The price of the Malagasy classified as luxury goods fell sharply, particularly in Europe, which imports 80% of the Malagasy shrimp. More than 700 direct jobs were then removed, forcing the group Unima to conduct a comprehensive social plan.

" It was the best decision to make, to save thousands of jobs in the farm Mahajamba. These people who have lost their jobs at that time are now a priority, with the reopening of Besalampy, "  said Vincent Rigolet.

Drop in the bucket

Farm produce Besalampy around 2500 tons of monodon Panaeus single species, whose larvae are from the farm Mahajamba. Shrimp that will result will be classified luxury product, scrupulously respecting the quality standards throughout the rearing process.

With two farms combined Unima produce about 5500 tons of shrimp a year. But production in Madagascar is infinitely small compared to other countries like Vietnam, which reaches 400,000 tons per year. Virus? "point blank" ?that has reached a farm in Mozambique, is now a real threat to this sector in Madagascar.