Homegrown Shrimp USA (HGS), part of Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), has officially opened its first shrimp farming facility in the United States.
The recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) farm in Indiantown, Florida, produces Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and includes a hatchery established five years ago that has been producing and selling shrimp post-larvae to shrimp farmers in several countries around the world.
It also now comprises a newly-finished indoor grow-out facility, which recently started operations.
“HGS now creates in the US a much-desired, premium, wholesome and sustainable shrimp that consumers can enjoy and also feel good about consuming it,” said Dr Robins Macintosh, HGS CEO and CP Foods Senior Vice President.
HGS was established to showcase CPF’s shrimp culture technology and the CPF commitment to producing sustainable shrimp in those countries it trades and conducts business with. HGS’s hatchery has the capacity to produce over 60 million post-larvae annually, and its new 80,000-square-foot indoor, metal building to grow the post-larvae to market size – which includes 40 circular production tanks and eight tanks to recycle water and collect solid wastes, as well as a water recirculation system, and the ability to control and keep water temperatures at slightly over 30°C – ideal for shrimp growth, survival and well-being.
An opening ceremony included speeches from Thailand’s Ambassador to the US, His Excellency Tanee Sangrat, and from MacIntosh. Also in attendance were Cholatip Kambhu Sangrat (spouse of Ambassador Tanee); Thitiwat Sukhasvasti Na Ayudhaya, Economic Counselor, Royal Thai Embassy; and Maria Sariol, Honorary Consul-General in Coral Gables.
CPF executives present included Dr Sujint Thamasart and Anat Julintron. Also in attendance were numerous HGS clients, friends of the company, and prominent members of the local community.
Macintosh’s final comments during the ceremony addressed the relevance of the innovative, industry-changing pioneering efforts embodied by HGS.
“It is with disruptive technology being developed and optimized here [HGS] that aquaculture becomes one of the solutions for our deteriorating oceans…our mantra is ‘saving the oceans and helping feed people through aquaculture.’ Ultimately, as more knowledge is gained and efficiency improved in this facility, we envision these projects locally producing shrimp sustainably year-round anywhere in the world,” he said.
HGS has also agreed to a year-long deal that will send up to 2 million shrimp post-larvae per month to NaturalShrimp for the next year. The shrimp produced in the inland recirculating hatchery will go to NaturalShrimps La Coste and Webster City facilities.
Plans are also being developed for HGS to provide support in developing NaturalShrimps’ own hatchery.
