A nasty and quite lethal virus, one of the all too frequent problems associated with open pond shrimp farming, sent ripples of negativity throughout the corporate finances of Indonesia-based PT Central Proteinaprima (CP Prima). The company's woes are symptomatic of problems plaguing old school shrimp farm technology. The virus infection caused the world's largest shrimp producer to miss a scheduled payment on US$325 million in notes at the end of last year that in turn resulted in suspension of trading its stock on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX). Moody and Fitch ratings for the company dropped further reducing confidence in the shrimp giant. Profits for 2009 plummeted by 80 percent.

Shrimp production throughout 2009 was devastated by the deadly infectious myonecrosis (IMN) virus. January harvest volumes fell from 8,486 tons to 3,536 tons in September. The company's main Central Pertiwibahari farm went from 5,728 tons in January to less than 433 tons by September.

Owned by Charoen Pokphand Group and employer to 6397 workers, CP Prima's reliance on open-pond farming saw the typical see-saw effect in profits. In 2007, the company enjoyed US$35.8 million. In 2008, it posted US$40.7 million in losses. Profits for 2009 were barely US$2.6 million.

At a loss to correct the problems plaguing its farms, CP Prima at first claimed at the end of 2008 that it would conserve cash by halting planned upgrading of its shrimp ponds. By the equally down year of 2009, the corporation reversed its position and said it would work to halt the virus' spread by improving farm sanitation and developing shrimp that can better resist viruses. No matter how resistant to disease the pond-raised shrimp might be other factors intrinsic to pond farming such as accumulating waste, inefficient feed consumption, predation etc. can undercut production and profits in the long run.

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(The future of the shrimp aquaculture industry will see a transition away from open-pond farming. IFCNR has access to a highly specialized bio-secure shrimp aquaculture system that absolutely can eliminate all viral and other disease problems that continue to negatively impact shrimp farming and other open pond technology and that is extremely profitable.

If seriously Interested contact IFCNR and if you pass the background check we will put you in direct touch with the owners and operators of this bio-secure system. Serious enquiries only - Editors IFCNR)