Trump Tariffs Hit Andhra’s Aqua Farmers Hard

Trump Tariffs Hit Andhra’s Aqua Farmers: Andhra Pradesh is facing a big challenge due to new import tariffs by the United States. Former US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy is causing serious problems for shrimp farmers in the state. The US has increased the import duty on shrimp from India from 3% to 26%. This move has created panic among aqua farmers and exporters.

Due to this sudden hike, the cost of exporting shrimp to the US has gone up drastically. A shipment worth Rs. 1 lakh will now cost Rs. 1.26 lakh. Along with packing and transport, the overall cost goes up by almost 50%. Exporters have also reduced the purchase price of shrimp from farmers by Rs. 30 to Rs. 50 per kilogram. This is causing huge losses to farmers.

Andhra Pradesh is a leading state in shrimp production and exports. The aqua industry contributes around 11% to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Nearly 2.5 lakh acres of land in West Godavari and Krishna districts are used for shrimp farming. Every year, 17.2 lakh tonnes of shrimp are exported to the US from AP. From West Godavari alone, 2,000 tonnes are exported daily.

But now, exporters are reducing prices for all shrimp sizes, not just the ones under 50 count which are allowed in the US market. This has upset farmers who are already under pressure from rising costs and middlemen cheating.

In response to this crisis, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wrote a letter to Union Minister Piyush Goyal. He requested the central government to protect the aqua industry by seeking exemption from the US tariffs. He stressed the importance of the sector in AP’s economy and urged support for farmers during this difficult time.

Trump Tariffs Hit Andhra’s Aqua Farmers:
CM Naidu also stated that orders from other countries are getting cancelled due to high prices. Cold storage facilities are also full, leaving no space for unsold stock. He urged the government to step in before things get worse.

Union Minister of State Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma responded, saying that the central government will take action to support the farmers. He asked farmers not to panic and assured them of help.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders are criticizing the ruling alliance for not acting in time. They say only those close to the government are benefitting, while genuine farmers are suffering.

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