Marine shrimp farming in the state of Ceará: an analysis of the productive and economic parameters, in the period 2003-2012

Abstract

Brazil was the third largest producer of white shrimp in Latin America, with 75,000 tons and R$ 600 million, in 2012. The present work focused on the impacts of the IMNV pathogen, the anti-dumping action imposed by USA and the exchange rate appreciation of Brazilian currency in marine shrimp culture in a semi-intensive system in Northeastern region and also on the identification of options for sustainable production. Data were collected on shrimp farms (Compescal and Aquafort) at Ceara state. During the period from 2003 to 2007, these factors affected directly the competitiveness of Brazilian farmed shrimp exportation. However, in 2007 the shrimp producers started to sell on domestic market, which made possible to increase their production, revenue, income and profit levels. In 2007, Compescal had a loss of R$ 2,582,000.00. Although in 2008 it had a profit of R$ 2,353,000.00, while in 2012 the profit has increased to R$ 11,940,000.00. Aquafort was able to successively increase its profit margin, from R$ 865,000.00, in 2007 to R$ 2,583,000.00 in 2012, representing an annual growth rate of 40%. The economic feasibility analysis showed that under simulated conditions, the IRR maintained a direct and more than proportional link to changes in shrimp feed and sales prices, as well to productivity.