In Fiji, local entrepreneur Apenisa Maracava has invested approximately USD 355,000 to establish a state-of-the-art seawater breeding facility through his company, Purayil Investment Limited. This new project aims to tackle prevalent challenges facing the industry, such as high feed costs, inconsistent supply of post-larvae, and low production yields.

By improving local shrimp production, the initiative could significantly reduce Fiji’s reliance on imported shrimp, potentially impacting the nation’s economy and food security.

Sourcing Local Shrimp

Fiji’s annual shrimp imports fluctuate between 300 to 500 tons, incurring a cost of almost USD 9 million. Maracava’s venture is set to mitigate this dependency, potentially bringing about a significant reduction in the nation’s import expenditure.

Situated in Rakiraki, the new facility promises to enhance operations and supply fresh, locally farmed shrimp to meet domestic demand. As Maracava notes, the establishment of one of the largest breeding facilities in Fiji will directly cater to the post-larvae needs of local farmers, thereby fortifying the industry’s backbone.

Overcoming Challenges

Local shrimp producers have long grappled with the spiralling costs of essential resources, with feed imports costing about USD 25,000 per container—a major barrier to profitability. In response, Maracava advocates for innovation within the sector.

He encourages farmers to consider alternative strategies, such as producing their own post larvae and embracing biofloc technology. This method, increasingly popular on a global scale, has been celebrated for its potential to enhance production and curtail costs.