RI'S SHRIMP PRODUCTION EXPECTED TO REACH 470 THOUSAND TONS NEXT YEAR

Jakarta, Nov 19 (ANTARA) - Indonesia's shrimp production is expected to increase five percent to 570 thousand tons next year, leaving a surplus of about 150 thousand tons for local consumption if the United States does not increase its demand for the commodity, a senior official said.

Fishery Cultivation Director General Made Nurjana said here on Wednesday that the United State was expected to shift to importing cheaper shrimps due to financial crisis.

"Therefore, to anticipate the drop in the United States demand for the commodity, we are preparing to produce shrimps of the vaname types who size is relatively smaller. Its price is also lower," he said.

He said that Indonesia's shrimp production this year was estimated at 410 thousand tons. But up to now, the impact of the financial crisis on the Indonesian shrimp exports had not yet been felt. There had been a tendency in the United States, however, to shift its demand for cheaper commodities, he added.

He said the size of shrimps to be developed next year was about 150 heads per kg with a price of about Rp22,000 - Rp25,000 per kg.

The director general said the vaname shrimp species would be bred in intensive shrimp ponds in Banyuwangi, East Java. ***2***