Bagerhat's shrimp boom: 'White gold' turns coastal district into aquatic powerhouse
Bagerhat's Bagda shrimp has gained global recognition for its taste, with significant export markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, European Union countries such as France, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as the Arab world, India, Canada, and Australia
At the southern edge of the Sundarbans, Bagerhat district is riding a wave of prosperity powered by Bagda shrimp, widely hailed as "white gold".
With 27% of the country's total output, Bagerhat now ranks second in national Bagda shrimp production, transforming its coastal landscape into a thriving aquaculture hub.
Once reliant on saline waters, Bagda farming has evolved through modern technology, enabling cultivation even in freshwater. This shift has opened new doors for local farmers and unemployed youth, who are increasingly converting fallow lands into shrimp ponds.
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The district's produce, prized for its taste, has earned global acclaim and become a staple in festive Bangladeshi cuisine.
Bagerhat's Bagda shrimp has gained global recognition for its taste, with significant export markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, European Union countries such as France, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as the Arab world, India, Canada, and Australia. Within Bangladesh, Bagda shrimp has become a staple feature in menus for any festival or special occasion.
During the fiscal year 2023-2024, Bagerhat produced Bagda shrimp on 5,51,159 hectares of land, across 46,313 ponds, yielding a total of 20,940 tonne, generating sales worth Tk 2,094 crore. Additionally, sales of Rui, Katla, and Mrigal fish contributed Tk421 crore.
By upazila, in Sadar Upazila, shrimp were produced on 7,673 hectares across 4,480 ponds, yielding 6,899 tonne. In Kachua Upazila, 1,333 hectares across 2,856 ponds produced 757 tonne, while Morelganj Upazila yielded 7,424 tonne from 12,800 hectares across 8,750 ponds.
In Chitalmari Upazila, 969.77 hectares across 2,493 ponds produced 1,453 tonne, followed by Fakirhat Upazila produced 1,595.6 tonne from 1,061 hectares across 2,324 ponds.
Besides, Mollahat Upazila yielded 1,187 tonne from 513 hectares across 1,814 ponds, while Rampal Upazila produced 11,201 tonne from 13,129 hectares across 17,450 ponds, Mongla Upazila yielded 11,467 tone from 13,611 hectares and 6,070 ponds and in Sharankhola Upazila, 51 hectares and 76 ponds produced 23 tonne of shrimp.
Field Assistant Sumana Saha of Kachua Fisheries Office told BSS that cultivation of Bagda shrimp on one acre costs around Tk 1 lakh, and the produce can be sold for Tk 2.3 lakh, giving farmers a profit of Tk 1.3 lakh.
Marine Fisheries Officer Dipankar Kumar Chakraborty of Kachua Upazila said that using bleaching powder to purify water before releasing virus-free post-larvae (PL) into ponds prevents disease.
He said that nursing PL for 30-45 days reduces mortality, and maintaining pond depth at 3.5-5 feet ensures better growth.
Bagda shrimp can be cultivated in water with salinity of 5-25 ppt, though 12 ppt is ideal, he said, adding that fish become market-ready in 90-120 days.
District Fisheries Officer Dr. Abul Kalam Azad told BSS that Bangladesh is one of the safest shrimp-producing countries in the world. Bagerhat ranks second in Bagda shrimp production nationally, and the shrimp has received GI product recognition, earning the title "White Gold", he said.
He added that 1,911 tonne of Hilsa have been harvested from the district's coastal waters, and fisheries remain a major source of livelihood and export earnings for the district.
