AP aqua farmers hit hard by Trump's tariffs

WITH USA tariffs impacting aqua production, aqua farmers in Godavari districts are expressing grave concern over their shrimp business in the coming days.

- KV SAILENDRA @Rajamahendravaram

Andhra Pradesh contributes to 32%, the highest share, of seafood exports from the country. Gottumukkala Gandhi Bhagavan Raju, President of Jai Bharat Ksheerarama Aqua Farmers Association in Palakollu of West Godavari said that the hike in taxation by the US has a heavy negative impact on aqua exports.

Speaking to TNIE, he stated "due to the 25% tax imposed by USA, aqua farmers are suffering huge losses. Aqua companies have reduced the purchase price by ₹40 to ₹50 per count due to the tax burden. This has led to anxiety among farmers about aquaculture. Farmers have been buying a count at ₹260 to ₹270 for the past 20 days. But now the price has been reduced to ₹200 per 100 count."