Market characteristics

The market size of Litopenaeus vannamei (South American white shrimp) is growing very rapidly. This is not only due to its increasing demand in the food industry, but it also has significant uses in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Among them, medium-sized South American white shrimp (50-100g) account for nearly half of the market share, while small South American white shrimp are becoming increasingly popular in aquaculture. The mortality rate of shrimp compared to fish is much higher, one of the main reasons being the high content of ammonia nitrogen and nitrate in the water, which further reduces their already low immune capacity, making them more susceptible to EMS (Early Mortality Syndrome) and WSS (White Spot Syndrome). At the same time, shrimp are more sensitive to changes in the water, such as an increase in disease probability and slower growth caused by low temperatures due to the La Niña phenomenon. In addition, shrimp have a very high protein content, requiring timely cold chain transportation to avoid rapid bacterial proliferation.