Shrimp farmers are switching to local sales amid falling prices and disruption to exports

A woman, K. Kondalamma, displays tiger prawns for sale on the roadside on the outskirts of Vijayawada on Saturday. Tiger prawns, which are usually in high demand in overseas markets, are now being sold directly to consumers. | Photo credit: GN RAO

As the market prices of shrimp are falling due to the impact of the US-Israel-Iran war, which is causing huge losses to aquaculture farmers, these farmers are selling their produce in local shandies at lower prices.

Many farmers and fishermen were seen selling shrimp and fish on roadsides to avoid losses. A couple, Kumba Venkatesh and his wife Kondalamma, were seen selling prawns at the rate of 10 (10 prawns per kg) on ​​the outskirts of Vijayawada on Saturday. “We used to sell big prawns at ₹400 per kg. In fact, 20-30 prawns are sold in the market for ₹450-500. With the decline in exports, prices of fish and prawns have come down in the domestic market,” Ms Kondalamma told The Hindu.

According to shrimp farmers, good quality large size shrimp (10-20 pieces) and crabs grown in Andhra Pradesh are in high demand in Vietnam, Thailand, China and other markets.

Meanwhile, many farmers were seen selling their produce by roadsides, especially on weekends, in Eluru, Gudivada, Kaikaluru, Machilipatnam, Avanigadda and other places to overcome the losses. “Catla (Bocha in Telugu) Carp (Bangaru Teega), Rohu (Seelavathi), Amur (Gaddi Chepa) and other varieties are sold at ₹200 to ₹300 per kg,” said fishmonger Lakshman.

Shipments to the Middle East and other countries have been disrupted as oil prices have risen globally, raising transport costs, directly affecting seafood exports in the past few months.

The worst affected are shrimp and fish farmers in AP, which account for about 35% of the country’s total marine exports. In addition, several million aquaculture stakeholders are said to have suffered losses in the state.

Published – 27 Jun 2026 19:38 IST