Shrimp Farm Development — End-to-End Project Playbook
Reference framework for developing a semi-intensive to intensive whiteleg shrimp farm — site selection, pond engineering, biosecurity, hatchery integration, feed logistics, harvest and processing, energy, financing and permitting.
Project assumptions
Score your project in 60 seconds
Set your current status on seven factors. We calculate a 0–100 readiness score, flag gaps EPCs and lenders will raise, and pre-fill an RFQ your concierge can act on immediately.
Planning — foundational work still open, but structured RFQs feasible
- Energy plan: Grid connection secured
- CAPEX clarity: USD 2M–10M — mid commercial
- Sign a site option or lease for at least 20 years
- Commission water lab tests (salinity, TAN, iron, TDS) and file abstraction permit
- Engage local permitting consultant and file EIA scoping
- Secure at least one signed LOI from a processor or importer
Indicative execution readiness. Not a credit decision or engineering warranty.
System stack
Site & civil works
- • Land survey, geotech, hydrology and topographic study
- • HDPE-lined ponds with dedicated inlet / drainage canals
- • Reservoirs and settling ponds for biosecurity buffer
- • Perimeter fencing, roads, staff quarters
Water treatment
- • Intake screening + sedimentation + chlorination / UV
- • Storage reservoir sized for 3–7 days demand
- • Effluent treatment ponds and constructed wetlands
Aeration & oxygen
- • Paddlewheel + aspirators sized 20–35 HP/ha depending on density
- • Optional PSA oxygen for high-density modules
- • Redundant power feed and standby aerators
Biosecurity
- • SPF post-larvae only, dual hatchery sourcing
- • Segregated cycles, all-in/all-out per module
- • Foot baths, PPE zones, bird netting and crab fencing
Feed & feeding
- • Automatic feeders (belt or acoustic-guided) per pond
- • On-site feed storage silos, moisture-controlled
- • FCR target 1.3–1.6 depending on genetics and management
Monitoring & controls
- • DO, temp, salinity, pH, alkalinity, TAN, NO₂ monitoring
- • SCADA + mobile alarms for critical parameters
- • Manual sampling and biosecurity logs
Energy
- • Grid + standby diesel or gas genset
- • Optional solar-hybrid to offset daytime aeration load
- • Fuel & tariff modeled for 10 years
Model this project on the page
Adjust the inputs to match your site and load profile. Outputs update live and can be sent as a pre-filled, confidential RFQ to project-matched suppliers.
Shrimp Farm Calculator
Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming economics come down to stocking density (PL/m²), survival, average harvest weight and FCR. This tool models yield, feed load and gross margin per cycle for semi-intensive, intensive and biofloc systems — matching what our sourcing engine uses to pre-qualify projects.
Semi-int. 15–40, intensive 60–150, biofloc 150–400
Estimates Only: This calculator is provided for general informational purposes only. Results are approximate and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. They do not constitute legal, financial, engineering, tax, technical, or professional advice. Users are solely responsible for independently verifying all calculations, specifications, prices, regulations, and requirements with qualified professionals before making any decisions. By using this calculator, you acknowledge that the website owners, operators, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or decisions resulting from its use.
Pond Volume Calculator
Estimate working water volume for a rectangular pond, raceway or RAS tank. Volume drives stocking density, oxygen sizing, water-treatment turnover and daily exchange — every downstream aquaculture number depends on this one.
Estimates Only: This calculator is provided for general informational purposes only. Results are approximate and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. They do not constitute legal, financial, engineering, tax, technical, or professional advice. Users are solely responsible for independently verifying all calculations, specifications, prices, regulations, and requirements with qualified professionals before making any decisions. By using this calculator, you acknowledge that the website owners, operators, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or decisions resulting from its use.
Stocking Density Calculator
Stocking density (kg per m³ of water) is the single biggest driver of oxygen risk, disease pressure and water-treatment load. RAS tolerates the highest density; ponds and cages the lowest. Overstocking crashes dissolved oxygen before it shows in growth data.
Estimates Only: This calculator is provided for general informational purposes only. Results are approximate and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. They do not constitute legal, financial, engineering, tax, technical, or professional advice. Users are solely responsible for independently verifying all calculations, specifications, prices, regulations, and requirements with qualified professionals before making any decisions. By using this calculator, you acknowledge that the website owners, operators, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or decisions resulting from its use.
Commercial Oxygen Demand & LOX Cost Calculator
Oxygen is life-support and typically 3–10% of commercial OPEX. This sizes total daily O₂ demand from steady-state biomass and species-specific respiration, then converts it into liquid oxygen (LOX) tonnage and annual cost at a delivered LOX price.
Peak in-water biomass, not annual harvest.
O₂ demand rises ~10% per 3 °C.
LOX cones ~90%. Aeration ~15%.
Estimates Only: This calculator is provided for general informational purposes only. Results are approximate and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. They do not constitute legal, financial, engineering, tax, technical, or professional advice. Users are solely responsible for independently verifying all calculations, specifications, prices, regulations, and requirements with qualified professionals before making any decisions. By using this calculator, you acknowledge that the website owners, operators, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or decisions resulting from its use.
Feed Conversion Ratio Calculator
FCR = feed given ÷ weight gained. Lower is better. It is the single biggest driver of farm profitability.
Estimates Only: This calculator is provided for general informational purposes only. Results are approximate and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. They do not constitute legal, financial, engineering, tax, technical, or professional advice. Users are solely responsible for independently verifying all calculations, specifications, prices, regulations, and requirements with qualified professionals before making any decisions. By using this calculator, you acknowledge that the website owners, operators, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or decisions resulting from its use.
Commercial Aquaculture CAPEX Estimator
Rapid CAPEX for a commercial fish farm, shrimp farm, RAS plant or sea-cage project. Sizes total investment from target production, applies system-specific CAPEX/kg benchmarks, then breaks it into the six lines every bank wants: land & civil, process equipment, engineering & permitting, working capital, contingency and financing costs.
Drives base CAPEX per tonne of annual capacity.
Feed + energy + labor + overhead per kg.
Estimates Only: This calculator is provided for general informational purposes only. Results are approximate and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. They do not constitute legal, financial, engineering, tax, technical, or professional advice. Users are solely responsible for independently verifying all calculations, specifications, prices, regulations, and requirements with qualified professionals before making any decisions. By using this calculator, you acknowledge that the website owners, operators, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or decisions resulting from its use.
Commercial Aquaculture ROI & IRR Calculator
Investor-grade returns model for commercial aquaculture: annual EBITDA, payback, levered IRR estimate and Debt-Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR). Accounts for equity/debt split, interest, tax and a realistic 3-year ramp-up.
Estimates Only: This calculator is provided for general informational purposes only. Results are approximate and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. They do not constitute legal, financial, engineering, tax, technical, or professional advice. Users are solely responsible for independently verifying all calculations, specifications, prices, regulations, and requirements with qualified professionals before making any decisions. By using this calculator, you acknowledge that the website owners, operators, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or decisions resulting from its use.
Operating Cost (OPEX) Calculator
OPEX drives profitability more than CAPEX for most farms. This tool sums the major operating costs — feed, electricity, labor, fingerlings, water and maintenance — and expresses the total as $/month and $/kg produced.
Estimates Only: This calculator is provided for general informational purposes only. Results are approximate and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. They do not constitute legal, financial, engineering, tax, technical, or professional advice. Users are solely responsible for independently verifying all calculations, specifications, prices, regulations, and requirements with qualified professionals before making any decisions. By using this calculator, you acknowledge that the website owners, operators, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or decisions resulting from its use.
Aquaculture Financing & Loan Amortization Calculator
Lender-side view of a commercial aquaculture loan: monthly and annual debt service, total interest paid, interest-during-construction (IDC) and the resulting DSCR at your projected EBITDA. Use before approaching a bank, EXIM agency or aquaculture-specialist fund.
Interest-only period during construction and biomass ramp.
Estimates Only: This calculator is provided for general informational purposes only. Results are approximate and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. They do not constitute legal, financial, engineering, tax, technical, or professional advice. Users are solely responsible for independently verifying all calculations, specifications, prices, regulations, and requirements with qualified professionals before making any decisions. By using this calculator, you acknowledge that the website owners, operators, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or decisions resulting from its use.
Project stages
- 1. Site & market feasibilityLand, water, market, permits, indicative CAPEX/OPEX. 6–10 weeks.
- 2. Concept & basic designPond layout, hydraulics, biosecurity plan, class-3 budget. 8–12 weeks.
- 3. Environmental permittingEIA, water discharge, coastal zone. 3–9 months depending on jurisdiction.
- 4. RFQ & supplier selectionNeutral RFQ for lining, aeration, hatchery, feed, monitoring. 8–12 weeks.
- 5. ConstructionLand preparation, pond building, lining, canals, infrastructure. 6–12 months.
- 6. First cycle & ramp-upPL stocking, first harvest 3–5 months later. Ramp to steady-state over 12–18 months.
Main CAPEX drivers
Indicative share of total installed cost. Actual split varies by region, redundancy, automation and civil scope.
| Land preparation & pond civil works | 25–35% |
| HDPE lining, canals & structures | 12–18% |
| Aeration & oxygen | 10–15% |
| Water treatment (intake, reservoir, effluent) | 8–12% |
| Electrical & standby power | 6–10% |
| Monitoring, controls & biosecurity | 4–8% |
| Engineering, permits & PM | 6–10% |
| Contingency | 10–15% |
Bankability questions
- Is land title clean and coastal-zone permitting realistic?
- Is the water source characterized (salinity range, seasonal variability)?
- Is a full EIA available or achievable in the target timeline?
- Is SPF PL supply secured with two qualified hatcheries?
- Is a signed offtake or LOI in place with a processor / exporter?
- Is a qualified farm manager identified with prior vannamei experience?
- Is disease risk modeled (EHP, WSSV, AHPND) with mitigation plan?
- Is CAPEX supported by class-3 estimates from two independent sources?
- Is OPEX modeled at pessimistic / base / optimistic scenarios?
- Is financing matched to cash-flow ramp-up?
Key project risks
- Disease outbreak (EHP, WSSV, AHPND) causing partial or total cycle loss.
- PL quality variability affecting survival and growth.
- Feed price and quality volatility impacting FCR and margin.
- Extreme weather (typhoon, flood) damaging ponds and infrastructure.
- Regulatory tightening on coastal discharge and mangrove protection.
Common questions
Get the bankability brief — Shrimp Farm Development
6-page investor-grade brief: CAPEX bands, OPEX assumptions, revenue model, sensitivity, risk register and a country permit map — tailored to this archetype. Free, sent to your inbox and printable to PDF.
Turn this Shrimp Farm Development archetype into a real RFQ
FishMatch Group prepares a neutral, confidential brief based on the assumptions, system stack and cost drivers on this page — then matches you with 1–3 project-matched international suppliers or EPC partners. Supplier identities stay private until you approve them. Buyers never pay.
Answer a short guided form — species, capacity, site, timeline, budget range. Takes ~3 minutes. Fully confidential.
Our team screens project-matched providers globally and prepares a comparable, budget-grade RFQ package for each.
You receive shortlisted proposals with technical, commercial and financing terms — ready for board or lender review.
Confidential · Supplier-neutral · No buyer fees · Response within 1 business day