Myanmar white shrimp (Vannamei) produced by commercial farms in Taninthayi Region are mainly exported to China and Japan.

The foreign demand for Vannamei white shrimp is high due to its fine quality. 

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation and China signed an MoU for cooperation in the marine export sector, and the MoU brings opportunities for saltwater white shrimp export in addition to sea fish and prawn export.

Marine businesspeople become interested in saltwater shrimp farming, which ensures foreign income. 

At the same time, fish resources are scarce in the sea, and there are high transport charges and unstable market status. 

From two to four million shrimps are bred in 2.5 acres of pond with six feet in depth. 

Out of 100 acres of shrimp ponds, 40 acres are used to store clean seawater, and the shrimp are kept in the rest of 60 acres. 

The shrimps are marketable after three or four months and exported to Thailand. 

The shrimp farming company earns over US$10 million, and some companies face losses as they only produce 20 tonnes of shrimp.

This year, we received high rainfall, and the shrimp species were not good, so the production rate declined. 

We have to buy white shrimp species from Thailand as well as the feed. 

The boiled shrimp is exported to China, and the frozen shrimp is exported to Japan, depending on the desires of the clients. 

As we have to compete with other countries in the export sector, if we can operate the tax and feed procurement licence sector properly, we can compete with other countries. 

We are allowed to export to China officially, and we can earn more foreign income when we expand the Vannamei white shrimp farming. If so, the companies will be in good condition. 

“Myanmar Vannamei white shrimp will become popular again in the fishery market,” said U Thet Soe, secretary of Taninthayi Region Fisheries Federation. 

In Kyunsu township, Myeik district, there are 105 white shrimp breeding ponds on 832 acres of land operated by Pyae Phyo Tun Company and 53 ponds on 531.05 acres by Khine Zin Yaw Company (Ma San Par), 25 ponds on 299.77 acres by Shwe Kan Maw company in Pulaw township, 10-15 ponds by Htoo Htoo Toe Company and Awba San Company. 

The Vannamei white shrimp is produced from over 200 breeding ponds once every four months, and they are exported to China and Japan.