With export volumes, and Andhra Pradesh’s water farmers turn to domestic markets to sell agricultural products

A businessman selling shrimp and other seafood at a fish market in Vijayawada on Sunday. |Photo source: Gn Rao

Seafood exports were severely hit after the United States announced a tariff rate hike, and shrimp farmers moved their agricultural products to the domestic market.

A large number of shrimp and other seafood products were seen at the market on Sunday. In some places, water farmers are seen selling produce directly to avoid losses.

In some areas, farmers reportedly sold the shares to middlemen, who in turn sold the shares in the local market at a lower price.

“The price of shrimp is sold at a price of 180 to 200 rupees per kilogram, while the quantity of 60-70 is in the market price between 225 and 250 rupees.”

“As U.S. exports to the U.S. have stopped, prices have fallen over the past three days, and there has also been a cascading impact in the local market,” said supplier Adinarayana.

See traders selling shrimp, crabs and other seafood varieties from different places at low prices. Similar situations prevail in Eluru, Bhimavaram, Narsapuram, Machilipatnam, Avanigadda and elsewhere.

“I raised Vannamei on about four acres and prepared to harvest crops. However, exports in Andhra Pradesh were hit hard due to the increase in duty and prices fell a huge loss,” said Srikanth, a farmer.

“We cannot store agricultural products for a long time. However, due to the development of international markets, exports have stopped, causing panic among farmers and exporters in the state.”