In early 2022, Hendrix Genetics 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.
On 28 September, Hendrix Genetics, global leader in multi-species breeding, genetics, and technology announced the grand opening of its new shrimp Breeding Multiplication Center (BMC) in Ranasthalam – Mandal, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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 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 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.
Same genetics as the current imported broodstock from Hawaii
This BMC will produce the same high-quality shrimp products as those currently imported from the Hawaii facility (the home of our R&D genetic engine), ensuring that 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.
The Indian BMC implements world-leading biosecurity measures, including its strategic location 1km from the ocean, a 2km 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.
Second BMC
This also marks the opening of the 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 strongerâ€
-David Danson, Director of Operations and Shrimp
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.
Hendrix Genetics is a leading multi-species animal breeding company with primary activities in layer-, turkey-, swine-, aquaculture -and traditional poultry breeding. Hendrix Genetics provides expertise and resources to animal protein producers in more than 100 countries, with operations and joint ventures in 25 countries and more than 3,000 employees.
Kona Bay is one of the world’s leading suppliers of shrimp broodstock, provides access to healthy, high-quality, genetically improved Specific-Pathogen-Free (SPF) shrimp stocks. Through a long-established history in the industry, Kona Bay is committed to shrimp breeding activities and improved shrimp genetics based on commercial industry needs.
Related article: Indonesia’s first broodstock multiplication centre
