Shrimp farmers in Nellore protest falling prices, seek fair rates

Shrimp farmers from the Gudur and Kota region of SPSR Nellore district staged simultaneous protests at three shrimp processing plants in Gudur mandal on Thursday, demanding fair prices for their produce amid a sharp decline in rates.

The protests were held at the facilities of GMT, GVR, and Penver Products. According to Duggineni Gopinath, convener of the Andhra Pradesh Shrimp Farmers' Federation, processing plants and shrimp exporters have formed a syndicate to purchase tiger shrimp at reduced rates.

Mr. Gopinath said the price for 30-count tiger shrimp, which stood at ₹580 a month ago, is now being purchased at ₹430. Similarly, the price for 20-count shrimp has fallen to ₹570 from ₹730 a month earlier.

He added that farmers are in a state of uncertainty, lacking remunerative prices and unable to predict when traders will buy their produce or halt purchases. Feed companies have also raised prices by an unprecedented ₹26 per kg, he said.

Following the protests, the managements of the shrimp processing plants assured the farmers that a joint meeting would be held in two to three days to discuss remunerative prices.

Nellore District Shrimp Farmers' Federation leaders Danekula Jaganmohan Rao, Avula Manohar Reddy, and Nadendla Ravindra Babu also participated in the protest.