Visakhapatnam: Aqua farmers in Andhra Pradesh are in a piquant situation, unable to decide whether to go for new crops or wait for the situation to ease. After the US announced a 50 per cent tariff for seafood from India, the exporters abruptly cut the purchase price by Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg of 100 count shrimps.Shrimp is grown in 4.65 lakh acres spread over nine coastal districts of AP, producing around 6.5 lakh tons per annum.“There is no material for exporters now. The new crop sowed a month ago was completely wiped away by virus infliction. The farmers are in a dilemma whether to go for a new crop, given the likely fall in prices,’’ said former general secretary of the aqua farmers’ welfare association, VS Raju.Talking to Deccan Chronicle on Monday, Raju said it was unfair that the exporters slashed the prices. “They get support from the government, banks extend their loan period and they have agreements with the importers who offer cushion in situations like the present,” he said.He said that during the past one month, the price of a kilo of prawns (30 pieces) came down from Rs 430 to Rs 360. For 40 counts, the price came down from Rs 340 to Rs 270 and for 60 counts to Rs 250 from Rs 310.“The farmers are struggling to survive as the promised power subsidy never materialized though the leaders promised this during the 2024 elections.At present, they are investing Rs 250 to produce one kilo of shrimp. The profit margins are too little while also absorbing the impact of natural calamities and other hazards,” Raju said.Asked about diverting the produce to the domestic market, he said only discolored shrimps are sold in the domestic markets. The white shrimps are generally stored in cold storages and processing centers and are never sold outside. The farmers have not decided on the domestic markets hoping that the situation in the export sector would return to normal.Raju said the new tariff has no impact on the retail prices of shrimps in many places in the state * Retail prices – Vizag (sea shrimps) Rs 140 kg – Rajahmundry (aqua shrimps) Rs 200 kg – Eluru (aqua shrimps) Rs 150 kg – Vijayawada (aqua shrimps) Rs 180 kg
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