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Cool weather sees shrimp supplies shrink
Restaurants and markets in Vientiane may face a shortage of shrimps ahead of Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) in April, as breeders struggle to keep up with demand.
Supplies of the crustaceans are dwindling because two major shrimp farms in Xaythany district of Vientiane are facing difficulties raising juvenile shrimps, with one of the farms already halting supplies.
“I ceased supplies about three or four months ago and will not resume until around Pi Mai Lao in April,” said Manager of the 9 Meena Shrimp Farm Mr Chanthadara.
Juvenile shrimps at the farm have died after been imported from a neighbouring country and “we can't breed juvenile shrimps locally,” Mr Chanthadara said yesterday.
Before the farm halted supply, it typically produced about 100 to 150kg of shrimp per day in 13 rearing ponds.
Another breeder, the Union Phoukham Farm, is also facing a similar situation; however the farm still has some shrimps to supply to local markets.
“Many of our juvenile shrimps are maturing slowly and many have died. It may be because of the cool weather in recent months,” said an assistant accountant at the farm, Ms Latdavanh Vongsaya.
The farm is still supplying to markets as normal and Ms Latdavanh believes the farm's supply will not be reduced during Pi Mai Lao because it still has many juvenile shrimps.
The farm consists of 24 rearing ponds and typically produces about 200kg of shrimp daily.
According to the Meena shrimp farm, Vientiane restaurants require over 500kg of shrimp per day, with several large hotels and restaurants each requiring more than 20kg per day.
Restaurants and markets are currently only receiving supplies from Phoukham farm.
However, many import the crustaceans from neighbouring countries in order to meet demand during times of low supply.
“To resume supplies I will have to quickly complete improvements to my farm,” Mr Chanthadara said.
The 9 Meena Farm was established in 2005 as a Lao-Thai business venture, with Lao investors holding a 15 percent share.
Phoukham farm is also a Lao-Thai venture in which local investors hold a 25 percent stake.
The two farms import juvenile shrimps from Thailand and raise them locally.
The farms were established after Thai businesses surveyed the Nam Ngum River and found it was suitable for commercial shrimp farming.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the only other shrimp farm in Laos is located in Borikhamxay province.
vientiane times
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