Shrimp, long regarded as the ‘white gold’ of Bangladesh’s southwest and a key export from Khulna, has seen its dominance erode in recent years due to stiff global competition and the rapid growth of vannamei farming in neighbouring countries.
After a prolonged period of stagnation, the sector is beginning to recover as the Department of Fisheries rolls out a series of initiatives to revive production and improve quality.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Khulna exported shrimp worth Tk 11,300 crore over the past five years. Authorities have now set an ambitious target to double that amount to Tk 22,600 crore within the next five years.
Fisheries data show the region exported 1,53,388 tonnes of fish between FY2020 and FY2025, earning Tk 13,456 crore. Shrimp accounted for 1,02,339 tonnes, bringing in Tk 11,301 crore. In FY2024–25 alone, Khulna produced 1,23,151 tonnes of shrimp, of which 19,512 tonnes were exported, generating Tk 2,499 crore. The annual export rate stood at 42.19%.
To boost output, the Khulna fisheries office has introduced training for 10,750 farmers, provided equipment to 7,500 of them, and promoted cluster-based farming to help increase yields up to fivefold. ‘Field Day’ demonstrations are motivating farmers to adopt new methods, while stricter biosecurity and hygiene measures aim to ensure better quality. Farmers are also being encouraged to obtain third-party certification to secure higher prices abroad.
Lipton Sardar, Divisional Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Officer in Khulna, called for long-term, shrimp-focused policies.
“There needs to be a dedicated framework for shrimp, including zoning of farming areas, infrastructure development, timely supply of disease-free larvae and guaranteed access to quality feed,” he said.
He emphasized the need for strict testing of fry, feed, medicines and chemicals, alongside a separate staffing structure to monitor production and quality control in shrimp-producing districts. Strengthening institutional capacity to diagnose and treat shrimp diseases, he added, would be vital to restoring buyer confidence.
The frozen shrimp sector has struggled for years. Once home to 63 processing plants, Khulna has seen 33 shut down due to dwindling supply and shrinking global demand.
“Despite higher interest rates and rising power costs, some companies are still operating. The frozen shrimp sector is now gradually recovering,” said Tariqul Islam Zahir, Senior Vice President of the Frozen Foods Exporters Association, urging the government to provide subsidies for energy and production.
Exporters note that the industry still faces challenges from falling demand in Europe, irregular payments from buyers, viral outbreaks, and volatile prices. The COVID-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war and domestic political unrest further compounded the crisis, leading to repeated shipment cancellations and financial strain.
Even so, the recent rebound in exports has renewed optimism across the sector. Stakeholders in Khulna believe that with consistent policy support and higher production standards, Bangladesh’s ‘white gold’ can reclaim its lost prominence and secure a stronger position in the global seafood market.
