Formulation of Cost Effective Grow out Feeds for Macrobrachium rosenbergii Culture in Fiji

Fiji has a strong domestic market demand (approx. 700 tons/yr) for shrimp (retail price US$ 14 to 17/kg), but only 150 tons can presently be provided by local sources and the remainder is imported from overseas. Currently, Fiji imports over 70 percent of shrimps for local consumption with total imports estimated to be around 600 metric tons valued at approximately FJ$ 15.2 million annually from Australia and Solomon Islands to mainly feed hotel industry. 

Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Farm gate prices of M. rosenbergii prawns have decreased to FJ$20 per kg and $25 per kg for retail. However aquaculture in Fiji only accounts for less than 10 percent of the value of all fishery exports. Fresh water prawns were first introduced in Fiji in 1982 with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a project that sought the production of post-larvae that was based in Naduruloulou Research Station (NRS) to try and successfully spawn M. rosenbergii. Read more>>>>>>