CPF Builds “Aquaculture 5.0” Shrimp Farm In The USA

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) is developing a new “Aquaculture 5.0” shrimp farm in the USA. The farm can culture shrimp anywhere, anytime of year, with complete biosecurity and zero waste discharge.

“It will be the most sustainable and reliable technology for culturing shrimp,” said Mr. Robins McIntosh, Executive Vice President at CPF. “Homegrown shrimp, our subsidiary in the USA, uses technologies that can culture shrimp anywhere in the world in any season.”

He added that while shrimp farms are normally located nearby coastal areas, Homegrown shrimp farm takes an unconventional approach. Although operating the aquaculture farm on an inland, it has total independence from the ocean, operating instead with artificial sea water created by blending locally-sourced fresh water with salt. This strategic decision reduces the cost of shrimp and impact on sensitive coastal environments. 

Also read: The Inside Story: CP Foods Move to Total Shrimp RAS

“Both the hatchery and farm are totally enclosed within a sealed temperature-controlled building. This enables  shrimp culture at the optimum temperature of 30◦ Celsius year-round regardless of the outside temperature. The farm will be equipped with automation and mechanical processes, enabling more efficient operation and less manpower.”

“Moreover, the farm recycles all the water, thereby economising salts for mixing artificial sea water and permitting licensing in even the most environmentally restrictive jurisdictions. All wastes from the farm will be captured and processed into an inert disposable product or possibly used as a by-product for other applications.”

Shrimp feeds eventually will be made from ingredients which are all sustainable, being neither marine meals nor soybeans from sensitive areas.

Mr. McIntosh  pointed out that the farm will be managed on the basis of the “domesticated floc” technology used in brood stock grow-out farms. The farms will be stocked with the fast-growing “CPF Turbo” post larvae that has seen success in CPF’s’ Asian operations. The fast-growing post larvae is seen as critical to make the project economical.

Homegrown shrimp plans to get four crop cycles annually, with a yield of 20-25 kilograms/m2 in 8000 m2 of tank area. That will yield 190 tons of fresh shrimp per year (40 count).

Also read: Why Hatchery Protocols Are Key To Ensure Fish Achieve Their Grow-Out Potential

“We are anticipating a minimum selling price of $15/kg and gross revenue of $2.85 million per year.   Eventually, with the 20 hectares of land, we could have five farming units and a hatchery, giving us total production of 950 tons/year and annual revenues of $14.25 million.”

Source: Bangkok Post