CREDIT MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS OF SEMI-INTENSIVE SHRIMP FARMING IN MEXICO

Abstract

Credit management (funding source with its specific interest rate, its timing, and amount) and its trade, affect feasibility of commercial shrimp farming. To analyze optimal trade credit management, an existing bioeconomic model of a semi-intensive shrimp farm (139 hectares with 44 earthen ponds) located in Sinaloa, Mexico, was extended to create a framework that assesses the decision-making problem related to funding from input suppliers (feed and postlarvae) during one culture cycle, integrating stochastic factors like shrimp mortality and pond water temperature. Through the application of Monte Carlo simulation and genetic algorithm-based optimization techniques, results show that the minimum funding cost is US$15,710 (for an operation budget of US$603,790), 27% lower than alternative funding scenarios (P-value <0.001). Although framed at the firm level, this approach optimizes any funding planning scenario in short-term credit management, particularly in funding schemes involving input suppliers. Further research is needed to relate credit management at the firm level with other elements of the value chain.