The Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) has proposed a Shrimp Economic Zone bringing hatcheries, feed mills, laboratories and farms under biosecurity controls, with controlled vannamei cultivation and EU and US compliance and traceability, according to a press release of 3 May 2026 published by Invest Bangladesh.
Shrimp made up about 76 per cent of frozen fish and shrimp export earnings in FY2024-25, at $296.29 million of $388.7 million. Candidate locations include Khulna, Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar and Satkhira, with BIDA leading investment promotion and BEZA overseeing the zone. MIDA member Commodore Tanzim Faruq said value-added products could raise earnings per kilogram five-fold or more. “The government is committed to reviving Bangladesh’s shrimp sector,” said Ashik Chowdhury.
Food Business Middle East & Africa reported on 10 June that the recovery framework targets $3 billion in annual shrimp exports by 2030, against average yields of about 400kg per hectare compared with 5,500kg in India. Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association adviser Syed M Ishtiaq said the target would be hard to reach without infrastructure upgrades.
Source
- Invest Bangladesh (BIDA): “MIDA convenes shrimp industry stakeholders for consultation on export expansion, proposes Shrimp Economic Zone” (3 May 2026)
- Food Business MEA: “Bangladesh sets US$3B shrimp export target as sector battles decade-long decline” (10 June 2026)
File photo: a shrimp farm beside mangroves. Photo: Amdadphoto / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This article is a summary prepared by Maritime News BD from the report(s) listed above; it was not independently reported by Maritime News BD.
