India is the world’s top exporter of shrimp in terms of value, with shipments reaching US $3.5 billion from January to October 2020. The country’s shrimp farming area is around 160,000 hectares. In 2019, farmed shrimp output reached an all-time high of roughly 805,000 metric tonnes. A sizable potential area of 1.2 million hectares of brackish water is available in India, however, only 10 percent is being utilised. These vast resources are one of the key drivers catalysing the expansion of the Indian shrimp farming and feed business. The market was greatly influenced by the commercialisation of Litopenaeus vannamei (white leg shrimp), spurred by the developed and developing countries’ sustained demand. The production and export of vannamei shrimp has surpassed native shrimp species, Penaeus monodon (black tiger shrimp), which were dominant until 2003. This increased the demand for shrimp feed and the market was valued at US$ 1.05 billion in 2020. Furthermore, the availability of enhanced product variations and use of commercially manufactured shrimp feed have also helped to the industry’s growth and expansion to and fro.

There are 38 feed plants in India that can manufacture shrimp feeds, with a total capacity of 3.5 million MT. In 2019, the volume of shrimp feed deals was assessed at 1.3 million MT. Andhra Pradesh represents the largest market for shrimp feed and is expected to account for 53.90% of the total shrimp feed market by 2022-23 followed by West Bengal (13.20%), Gujarat (11.0%), Tamil Nadu & Puducherry (10.50%), Odisha (7.40%) and Maharashtra (2.00%). Protein and lipid levels in shrimp feeds manufactured in India are typically in the 32-41 percent and 5-6 percent ranges, depending on the type, such as Starter, Grower, and Finisher. Shrimp feeds contain a vast range of ingredients and additives, which are supplied by a diverse set of Indian and multinational enterprises.