Shrimp farmers are demanding a reduction in feed costs

Prakasam District Prawn Farmers’ Association President Duggineni Gopinath on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) demanded that shrimp feed companies suspend the price hike they had recently introduced until the state government-appointed committee submits its report on watercolor feed prices. He called on the government to intervene and withdraw the price hike to relieve the financial burden on farmers

A 15-member AP Shrimp Feed Additive Price Monitoring Committee has been constituted from representatives of the State Institute of Fisheries Technology (SIFT), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), AP State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) and Aquatic Animal Breeders Association.

According to the GO issued by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries on Monday (June 15), the committee will analyze data on prices of aquaculture raw materials prevailing at the national level, monitor the prices of fishmeal and soybeans at the global level, and evaluate the prices of shrimp feed raw materials from various websites and supplier agencies with invoices.

The committee will also examine factors contributing to variations in feed rations, including raw material prices, production costs and market conditions. In consultation with technical experts and research institutions, it will recommend reasonable and transparent shrimp ration evaluation mechanisms to protect the interests of aquafarms.

Mr Gopinath said: “Simply setting up feed price monitoring committees – without actually reducing the recently increased rates – will not ease the financial burden on farmers. Moreover, they will continue to be burdened by the cost of aquatic feed. The government should take action against feed companies that have violated regulations and failed to reverse the price hike.”

He further said, “Shrimp feed companies have raised the price of Vannamei feed by ₹ 10 per kg and tiger prawn feed by ₹ 12 per kg – without the consent of APSADA or the state government and regardless of farmers’ objections. This is not just an issue that affects the livelihood of 20 million people abroad and the growth of foreign income.”

Speaking to The Hindu, AP Fisheries Commissioner Rama Shankar Naik said, “Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu held a meeting with all stakeholders this month. During the discussions, the feed manufacturers urged the minister that it was not possible for them to reduce feed prices for Vannamei and tiger prawns.”

Published – 16 Jun 2026 20:24 IST