Shrimp is one of the seven major aquaculture species in the Philippines and is one of the country's two major aquaculture exports, sent to countries such as Japan, Korea, and the United States. Shrimp farming in the Philippines uses a variety of systems which are affected by the climate, availability of capital, site location, sources of water supply, the marketing of harvested products, and the availability and cost of farm inputs.
The Philippines is a net exporter of shrimp, which contributed 25% to total fish and fisheries exports in 2013 and amounting to US$ 558 million. The country exports various types of processed shrimp, including frozen, head-on or headless, and un-shelled or shelled.
There are a number of shrimp processing plants approved by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) located in Manila, Bohol, Butuan, and General Santos City. These sell shrimp products such as pasteurized bottled sautéed shrimp; fresh frozen black tiger or white shrimp; shrimp powder, frozen block shrimp; and frozen pre-cooked peeled shrimp.
The are numerous available areas for shrimp culture and production in the country, thanks to its archipelagic nature. The strong presence of prawn growers’ cooperatives in the country provides needed support to the supply chain. Lastly, the availability of trained technicians for good manufacturing practices (GMP) and other food safety standards and requirements ensures that the industry will have high quality produce.
Imports of Shrimps and Prawns (‘000 kgs.)
2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | |
Shrimps and prawns, frozen | 1,612 | 1,615 | 1,962 | 2,192 | 2,878 | 2,736 |
Shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved | 110 | 85 | 147 | 155 | 48 | 20 |
Source: United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database
Exports of Shrimps and Prawns (‘000 kgs.)
2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | |
Shrimps and prawns, frozen | 11,235 | 12,777 | 11,706 | 10,441 | 6,220 | 201,320 |
Shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved | 1,132 | 1,428 | 1,508 | 1,466 | 1,042 | 923 |
Source: United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database
The manufacture of processed shrimp and prawn products as a commercial processing activity can be considered among the preferred activities listed in the IPP. Commercial processing covers the (1) extraction of higher value substances from agricultural and fishery raw materials through bioprocessing; or (2) conversion of agricultural and fishery products or wastes to a form ready for further processing or final consumption.
Commercial processing of agricultural products should involve the use of domestically-produced raw or semi-processed agricultural products, unless these inputs are not locally available (NLP) or are not in sufficient quantity (NISQ).
If using imported raw or semi-processed agricultural products that are locally-produced (LP) or in sufficient quantity (ISQ), the project may qualify for registration, provided that the finished/final product is for export, or the project qualifies for pioneer status.
The Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project is a major component of the MSME Development (MSMED) Program of the DTI and aims to improve the productivity and competitiveness of MSMEs by providing them with machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills, and knowledge under a shared system.
The SSF Project seeks to address processing and manufacturing gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain of priority industry clusters, particularly those in agribusiness.
Industry and Investments Building,
385 Senator Gil Puyat Ave,
Makati City Philippines
Tel. No.: (632) 897-6682 loc. 257
Email: SMSRecolizado@boi.gov.ph