IMARC Group’s report, titled “Shrimp Processing Plant Project Report 2025: Industry Trends, Plant Setup, Machinery, Raw Materials, Investment Opportunities, Cost and Revenue,” provides a complete roadmap for setting up a shrimp processing plant. It covers a comprehensive market overview to micro-level information such as unit operations involved, raw material requirements, utility requirements, infrastructure requirements, machinery and technology requirements, manpower requirements, packaging requirements, transportation requirements, etc. The shrimp processing project report provides detailed insights into project economics, including capital investments, project funding, operating expenses, income and expenditure projections, fixed costs vs. variable costs, direct and indirect costs, expected ROI and net present value (NPV), profit and loss account, financial analysis, etc.

Shrimp processing is the order of activities in preparing shrimp for consumption or sale after harvesting. It entails cleaning, deheading, peeling, deveining, and cooking or freezing the shrimp. The operation is carried out to ensure hygiene, extend shelf life, and meet quality standards for local and export markets. Processing can be manually done or aided by mechanical machines, depending on the size of the operation.
A shrimp processing plant is a machine hired to clean, peel, devein, and package shrimp for food sale and use. The plant may include machinery like conveyors, peeling machines, graders, freezing machines, and packaging equipment. Sanitation and temperature control at all stages are necessary to preserve product quality as well as compliance with food safety regulations. The plants may include value-addition activities like the cooking or season shrimp. The processing plants for shrimp supply the food service, retail, export, and the manufacturers of ready-to-eat foods.
The market for shrimp processing is influenced by several major factors such as rising global consumption of seafood, escalating demand for ready-to-consume and convenient seafood, and increasing global trade. Urbanization and inflating disposable incomes have resulted in consumer demand for high-protein diets, contributing further to consumption of shrimp. Improved processing, freezing, and packaging technologies are enhancing the quality and shelf life of the product, conducive to market expansion. In addition, government assistance to aquaculture and friendly export policies in the world's leading shrimp-producing nations are supporting industry expansion. For example, Indonesia will be producing 578,579 MT of shrimp in 2024, a demonstration of its attempt to consolidate the industry and trigger growth in the world shrimp processing market.
Increasing production capacity
The expansion of capacity is among the key drivers of growth for the shrimp processing industry, enabling producers to meet growing demand and enhance supply chain efficiency. In December 2022, Avanti Feeds commenced commercial operations at its new facility in Andhra Pradesh, India, following an INR 125 crore investment. The plant increases 1.75 lakh MT of manufacturing capacity, taking the company's overall shrimp feed manufacturing capacity to 7.75 lakh MT. The strategic upgrade not only enhances the position of Avanti in the shrimp value chain but also benefits the overall processing industry by supplying a stable and higher volume of high-quality feed, which is critical for consistent and large-scale shrimp farming and processing activities.
Expanding product portfolios
Product innovation is one of the main growth drivers for the shrimp processing sector, as companies continually innovate new and value-added products to maintain harmony with shifting consumer tastes and lifestyle demands. Flavor, packaging, and convenience innovations allow manufacturers to differentiate their product and expand to a wider base of customers. For example, SeaPak launched its Southern Style Jumbo Shrimp nationwide in February 2022, giving shoppers a spicy, convenience-cooked seafood choice in the frozen food aisle. These new product launches not only fuel sales in the United States but also contribute to brand building and customer loyalty. With increasing demand for fast, flavorful, and premium seafood, innovation is front and center in business growth and competitiveness.
Leading manufacturers in the global shrimp processing industry include several multinational seafood companies with extensive processing capacities and diverse product portfolios. Key players include:
These companies operate large-scale facilities and serve end-use sectors such as food and beverage, hospitality, retail, and export trade sectors.
Detailed Process Flow:
The manufacturing process is a multi-step operation that involves several unit operations, material handling, and quality checks. Below are the main stages involved in the shrimp processing process flow:
Setting up a shrimp processing plant requires evaluating several key factors, including technological requirements and quality assurance. Some of the critical considerations include:
Establishing and operating a shrimp processing plant involves various cost components, including:
Capital Investment (CapEx): Machinery costs account for the largest portion of the total capital expenditure. The cost of land and site development, including charges for land registration, boundary development, and other related expenses, forms a substantial part of the overall investment. This allocation ensures a solid foundation for safe and efficient plant operations.
Operating Expenditure (OpEx): In the first year of operations, the operating cost for the shrimp processing plant is projected to be significant, covering raw materials, utilities, depreciation, taxes, packing, transportation, and repairs and maintenance. By the fifth year, the total operational cost is expected to increase substantially due to factors such as inflation, market fluctuations, and potential rises in the cost of key materials. Additional factors, including supply chain disruptions, rising consumer demand, and shifts in the global economy, are expected to contribute to this increase.

| Particulars | Cost (in US$) |
|---|---|
| Land and Site Development Costs | XX |
| Civil Works Costs | XX |
| Machinery Costs | XX |
| Other Capital Costs | XX |
| Particulars | In % |
|---|---|
| Raw Material Cost | XX |
| Utility Cost | XX |
| Transportation Cost | XX |
| Packaging Cost | XX |
| Salaries and Wages | XX |
| Depreciation | XX |
| Other Expenses | XX |
| Particulars | Unit | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Income | US$ | XX | XX | XX | XX | XX |
| Total Expenditure | US$ | XX | XX | XX | XX | XX |
| Gross Profit | US$ | XX | XX | XX | XX | XX |
| Gross Margin | % | XX | XX | XX | XX | XX |
| Net Profit | US$ | XX | XX | XX | XX | XX |
| Net Margin | % | XX | XX | XX | XX | XX |
| Report Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Shrimp |
| Report Coverage | Detailed Process Flow: Unit Operations Involved, Quality Assurance Criteria, Technical Tests, Mass Balance, and Raw Material Requirements Land, Location and Site Development: Selection Criteria and Significance, Location Analysis, Project Planning and Phasing of Development, Environmental Impact, Land Requirement and Costs Plant Layout: Importance and Essentials, Layout, Factors Influencing Layout Plant Machinery: Machinery Requirements, Machinery Costs, Machinery Suppliers (Provided on Request) Raw Materials: Raw Material Requirements, Raw Material Details and Procurement, Raw Material Costs, Raw Material Suppliers (Provided on Request) Packaging: Packaging Requirements, Packaging Material Details and Procurement, Packaging Costs, Packaging Material Suppliers (Provided on Request) Other Requirements and Costs: Transportation Requirements and Costs, Utility Requirements and Costs, Energy Requirements and Costs, Water Requirements and Costs, Human Resource Requirements and Costs Project Economics: Capital Costs, Techno-Economic Parameters, Income Projections, Expenditure Projections, Product Pricing and Margins, Taxation, Depreciation Financial Analysis: Liquidity Analysis, Profitability Analysis, Payback Period, Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Profit and Loss Account, Uncertainty Analysis, Sensitivity Analysis, Economic Analysis Other Analysis Covered in The Report: Market Trends and Analysis, Market Segmentation, Market Breakup by Region, Price Trends, Competitive Landscape, Regulatory Landscape, Strategic Recommendations, Case Study of a Successful Venture |
| Currency | US$ (Data can also be provided in the local currency) |
| Customization Scope | The report can also be customized based on the requirement of the customer |
| Post-Sale Analyst Support | 10-12 Weeks |
| Delivery Format | PDF and Excel through email (We can also provide the editable version of the report in PPT/Word format on special request) |
Report Customization
While we have aimed to create an all-encompassing shrimp processing plant project report, we acknowledge that individual stakeholders may have unique demands. Thus, we offer customized report options that cater to your specific requirements. Our consultants are available to discuss your business requirements, and we can tailor the report's scope accordingly. Some of the common customizations that we are frequently requested to make by our clients include:
Why Buy IMARC Reports?
Capital requirements generally include land acquisition, construction, equipment procurement, installation, pre-operative expenses, and initial working capital. The total amount varies with capacity, technology, and location.
To start a shrimp processing business, one needs to conduct a market feasibility study, secure required licenses, arrange funding, select suitable land, procure equipment, recruit skilled labor, and establish a supply chain and distribution network.
Shrimp processing requires raw or freshly harvested shrimp sourced from aquaculture farms or wild catch. Additional materials include water, ice, salt, preservatives, packaging materials (polyethylene bags, cartons), and cleaning agents to maintain hygiene and quality standards.
A shrimp processing factory typically requires sorting and grading machines, de-heading and peeling units, deveining machines, washing tanks, freezing tunnels or IQF freezers, glazing machines, packaging systems, and cold storage facilities. Quality control labs and water treatment systems are also essential.
The main steps generally include:
Sourcing and receiving raw shrimp from aquaculture farms or fishing vessels under strict quality control.
Washing and sorting the shrimp by size, freshness, and overall quality to ensure uniformity.
De-heading and peeling the shrimp using mechanical or manual methods depending on product type.
Deveining and cleaning the shrimp thoroughly to remove impurities and maintain product hygiene.
Blanching or precooking the shrimp briefly to improve texture, flavor, and shelf stability when required.
Freezing the shrimp using block or IQF methods to preserve freshness and prevent spoilage.
Glazing and packaging the shrimp in protective materials to maintain quality during storage and transport.
Cold storage and distribution to domestic or export markets under controlled temperature conditions.
Usually, the timeline can range from 12 to 24 months to start a shrimp processing plant, depending on factors like site development, machinery installation, environmental clearances, safety measures, and trial runs.
Challenges may include high capital requirements, securing regulatory approvals, ensuring raw material supply, competition, skilled manpower availability, and managing operational risks.
Typical requirements include business registration, environmental clearances, factory licenses, fire safety certifications, and industry-specific permits. Local/state/national regulations may apply depending on the location.
The top shrimp processors are:
Thai Union Group
Nippon Suisan Kaisha (Nissui)
Maruha Nichiro
Charoen Pokphand Foods
Minh Phu Seafood Corporation
Avanti Feeds Limited
Royal Greenland
Seaprimexco Vietnam
Beaver Street Fisheries
Profitability depends on several factors including market demand, processing efficiency, pricing strategy, raw material cost management, and operational scale. Profit margins usually improve with capacity expansion and increased capacity utilization rates.
Cost components typically include:
Land and Infrastructure
Machinery and Equipment
Building and Civil Construction
Utilities and Installation
Working Capital
Break even in a shrimp processing business typically ranges from 4 to 8 years, depending on scale, regulatory compliance costs, raw material pricing, and market demand. Efficient processing and export opportunities can help accelerate returns.
Governments may offer incentives such as capital subsidies, tax exemptions, reduced utility tariffs, export benefits, or interest subsidies to promote manufacturing under various national or regional industrial policies.
Financing can be arranged through term loans, government-backed schemes, private equity, venture capital, equipment leasing, or strategic partnerships. Financial viability assessments help identify optimal funding routes.