LIKE any endeavor at its infancy stage, the prawn industry has its own share of problems. The prawn industry, however, is besieged by problems in all its sectors from production to export.
In production, grow-out operators are often faced with the problem of inadequate supply of fry. Not only is the supply inefficient, but, the quality is also a big problem. Fry mortality is abnormally high especially those sourced from small hatcheries and those coming from the wild. Aside from this the grow-out operators are also in search of the appropriate technology for growing prawns. Currently, there is a trend encouraging producers to veer away from high stocking density systems and engaged in lower density.
The feed manufacturing sector has its share of problems too. Up to now, the local manufacturers still cannot meet the total feed requirements of the industry. Total requirements means good quality nutritious feeds. Hence, the industry is dependent on more expensive (due to tariff) imported feeds. Also the feed manufacturing industry is totally dependent on imported feed ingredients. Technology is still not available on the production of feeds using locally available materials.
The feed manufacturing sector is also being criticized for the quality of feeds they produced. Growers complain that the feeds are of such inferior quality that the production efficiency of growers is quite hampered. Aside from affecting production cost, to which 40-60 percent is attributed to feeds, is also pushed above the normal or acceptable level.
OVERCROWDING
The export sector on the other hand, is faced with the problem of overcrowding the export market. For several years now, Japan, remained practically the largest single market of the Philippine “black tiger” prawns. This situation has, in-fact, created a form of cutthroat competition among Philippine exporters.
Aside from the market per see, the Philippines also less competitive in terms of price. The 1986 FAO Fishery Year-book reported that the Philippines have the highest export price compared to other Asean countries. The high price can only be attributed to the high cost of production whose contributing factors are all those mentioned above; poor quality of fry, high cost of feeds and poor production technology.
At its infant stage, the prawn industry needs all the support it can get to really drive it to its full development. It should be recognized that the industry is one capable of earning the much needed foreign currency for the country.
In fact, from the period 1986-1989, prawn export averaged almost half the total export earnings of the domestic fishing industry.
Only a market oriented development thrust can improve the present state of the bio-industry. Philippine shrimp exports appear to be competitive in quality but not in price.
