Main Obstacles to the Development of the Shrimp Business in Ukraine

Financial calculations indicate the economic viability of developing the shrimp business in Ukraine; however, this sector faces a number of serious challenges.

This is reported by AgroReview

Key Costs and Production Cycle

Growing shrimp from fry to market size takes approximately three to four months. The main cost items in this business are:

• purchase and installation of equipment — up to 50% of the initial budget,
• feed — up to 25%,
• electricity costs — about 15%,
• purchase of fry and biological agents — 5-10%,
• wages and laboratory services — another 5-10%.

Main Barriers to Development

Despite positive dynamics, shrimp farming in Ukraine faces three main obstacles.

The first and most significant is the need for substantial startup investments. Establishing a modern recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) requires considerable financial resources, as well as careful technical design and the use of reliable components.

“The second significant problem is the shortage of qualified personnel,” notes Oleksiy Slepnyev. “In Ukraine, there are virtually no specialized educational programs in aquaculture, especially regarding the shrimp business. The vast majority of farmers learn this trade through self-education, private training, or internships abroad. This limits the speed of project scaling and creates risks of technical errors.”

The third barrier is certification requirements. To enter international markets, producers must undergo certification according to HACCP and ISO standards, as well as comply with safety requirements regulated by international organizations. It is necessary to ensure control over residual substances, the absence of antibiotics, and to meet product traceability standards. This requires additional costs and highly qualified personnel.