Indonesian shrimp farmers seek protection against Ecuadorian imports

Indonesian shrimp farmers and cultivators are calling on the government to strengthen the absorption of local production to protect the domestic industry from foreign competition. This request follows the arrival of 120 tons of Ecuadorian vaname shrimp through Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya in June 2026.

Industry expert Hasanuddin Atjo noted that the production costs for shrimp from Ecuador and India are approximately USD 1 to USD 1.5 lower per kilogram than those in Indonesia. Local farmers face higher expenses related to feed, larvae, electricity, fuel, labor, and logistics. There are also concerns regarding biosecurity, with warnings that imported shrimp could introduce diseases that might destabilize market prices.

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries stated that the imported shrimp is intended as raw material for the processing industry via Bonded Zones and is not for domestic consumption. Despite these assurances, stakeholders emphasize the need to optimize local shrimp as an economic instrument, noting that Indonesia's production grew from approximately 953,000 tons in 2021 to 1.09 million tons in 2022.