ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (ABC):Pakistan’s emerging inland shrimp farming industry could generate annual net profits of up to Rs11 million per hectare, offering farmers, investors and businesses a lucrative opportunity to tap into the global shrimp market worth more than $32 billion, according to a new Pakistan Business Council (PBC) report that identifies saline lands in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan as promising locations for commercial shrimp production.
Titled Pakistan’s Aquaculture Sector: Opportunities, Challenges & Policy Recommendations for Improving Export Competitiveness, the report highlights shrimp farming as one of the country’s most commercially attractive emerging agricultural ventures, with significantly higher returns than conventional carp farming.
According to the report, shrimp farming can generate gross annual revenues of Rs9 million to Rs28 million per hectare, compared with just Rs900,000 to Rs1.6 million from traditional carp farming.
Export-grade shrimp fetches Rs900 to Rs1,400 per kilogram at farm level, while carp sells for Rs250 to Rs350 per kilogram.
Despite its higher profitability, shrimp farming requires greater initial investment, estimated at Rs2.8 million to Rs7 million per hectare, against Rs500,000 to Rs1.1 million for carp farming.
The report identifies Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) as a particularly promising species because of its high commercial value, export demand and relatively short production cycle of 90 to 120 days.
Advanced biofloc farming systems can support two to three production cycles annually, with yields of eight to 20 metric tonnes per hectare over two cycles.
Pakistan could capitalise on the growing international demand for shrimp, particularly in the United States, China, the European Union, Japan and Gulf countries.
Farmed shrimp accounts for around 55 per cent of global shrimp production, with Pacific white shrimp representing approximately 70 per cent of farmed output.
The PBC report identifies saline groundwater and salt affected agricultural land in southern Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan as potential resources for developing commercial shrimp farms.
Promising locations include Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab, alongside Thatta, Sujawal and Badin in Sindh.
Hyderabad and Jamshoro also offer potential, subject to water-quality testing and feasibility assessments.
Existing commercial farms in Thatta and southern Punjab have already demonstrated the viability of modern shrimp production techniques, including improved aeration, specialised feed, effective water management and disease prevention.
The report says Pakistan can further accelerate production through intensive pond cultivation and biofloc technology while leveraging its existing seafood processing facilities, cold-chain networks and international trade connections to expand exports.
Growing interest from domestic entrepreneurs, corporate investors and overseas companies is also creating opportunities for foreign investment, technology transfer and strategic partnerships.
Provincial fisheries departments, particularly in Punjab, are supporting the emerging industry through farmer training and technical assistance, while universities and private sector operators are working to adapt international farming technologies to local conditions.
However, the sector faces significant hurdles, including limited domestic hatchery capacity, reliance on imported shrimp seed, disease outbreaks, inadequate cold chain infrastructure, insufficient processing and export-certification facilities, and a shortage of skilled workers.
The PBC has called for targeted investment in hatcheries, feed production, disease management, processing facilities and supporting infrastructure to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness and ensure sustainable commercial growth.
Although shrimp farming currently contributes less than two per cent of Pakistan’s aquaculture production, the report describes it as the country’s most commercially attractive emerging aquaculture segment, with considerable potential to generate export earnings, create rural employment and diversify the national seafood industry.
With the right investment, technology and policy support, Pakistan could turn its saline lands into a valuable export-oriented shrimp industry and establish a stronger presence in the rapidly expanding global seafood market.
