Published on Oct. 9, 2023
Hendrix Genetics Expands Global Presence with the Inauguration of its New Shrimp Breeding Multiplication Center in India
Visakhapatnam 28th September 2023 – Hendrix Genetics, global leader in multi-species breeding, genetics, and technology, is pleased to announce the grand opening of its new shrimp Breeding Multiplication Center (BMC) in Ranasthalam - Mandal, Srikakulam District in the Andhra Pradesh region of India. In early 2022, we formed a strategic Joint Venture partnership with Sapthagiri Hatcheries, one of the largest - and most successful - hatchery businesses in India. This significant expansion marks a milestone in Hendrix Genetics' mission to enhance shrimp breeding and meet the growing demand for high-quality shrimp genetics in the Indian market.
Hendrix Genetics is proud to be the only shrimp breeding company with operations in all major shrimp markets worldwide. The Indian BMC is expertly managed by Kona Bay, a subsidiary of Hendrix Genetics, and is under the local leadership of Mr. Deepak Patnaik. The opening of the BMC is also in line with the idea of Kona Bay’s will to decentralize its production to avoid high risk export business, ensuring our clients always have access to our products. With a broodstock capacity exceeding 150 000, our Indian BMC is set to greatly improve shrimp breeding in the region.
The inauguration ceremony was conducted on September 28th 2023. The event saw over 300 customers, colleagues and friends come together in a truly magnificent event which was the occasion to be deeply immersed into the Indian culture.
This BMC will produce the same high-quality shrimp products as those currently imported from our Hawaii facility (the home of our R&D genetic engine), ensuring that our customers continue to receive the superior genetics they have come to trust. Moreover, the BMC maintains the same genetics as the current imported broodstock from Hawaii, which is renowned for its far from pathogens biosecure environment, thus maintaining a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) status. In addition, local sentinel and commercial challenges allow for a direct line of data to the breeding nucleus in Hawaii. Shrimp reared under Indian conditions will result in a more adapted and resilient shrimp suited for the Indian market.
Our Indian BMC implements world-leading biosecurity measures, including its strategic location 1 kilometer from the ocean, a 2-kilometer exclusion zone around the site, state-of-the-art water filtration systems, effluent sterilization, internal quarantine and grow-out modules to keep batches separate.
With the opening of this Indian BMC, Hendrix Genetics is well-positioned to consider the establishment of a Nucleus Breeding Center in the future, further enhancing its commitment to shrimp breeding excellence in India.
This also marks the opening of our second BMC, leveraging thus already proven processes and systems from Indonesia. Hendrix Genetics is dedicated to working closely with Indian partners to find innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by today's shrimp farming industry, and also will be best placed to secure a market leader position.
The PPL will be stocked in Q4 2023 from our Hawaii facility, and the first broodstock sales will take place in Q2 2024. We also have started to build our local team of experts, aiming for up to 40 employees. Thank you to the entire team for making this possible. Together we are stronger.
Hendrix Genetics is excited about the potential that the Indian BMC brings to the Indian aquaculture industry, reinforcing the company's commitment to sustainable and high-quality shrimp breeding practices. We look forward to a bright future in Indian shrimp farming.