CFC supports sustainable shrimp production from Peru

Sustainable management in aquaculture is a promising field to counter challenges related to global food production, increase in world population, and climate change. The CFC supports Acuacultura Tecnica Integrada del Peru S.A.C. (“ATISA”) to foster sustainable development in the aquaculture sector by upscaling the market potential for high quality and sustainably farmed shrimps from Peru. Located in Tumbes, North Peru, ATISA exports fresh frozen white shrimps to international clients in Europe and Asia. ATISA is the first aquaculture farm in Peru certified by GLOBALG.A.P. and is committed to reinforce its responsible practices by introducing organic shrimps and further complying with stringent social and environmental aquaculture certification standards. The CFC has extended a USD 1.5 million loan to invest in modern shrimp cultivation techniques and sustainable farming practices.

Aquaculture is one the fastest growing global food systems, providing nearly half of the world´s seafood supply and contributing to livelihoods of around 1.8% of the global population. Peru is a small player in the international shrimp market but the aquaculture sector experienced strong growth in the past 15 years and shrimps have become its second most important aquaculture export commodity. The rapid worldwide growth of the sector has led to social and environmental concerns, for transition economies export where aquaculture plays a role as export commodity.

ATISA is led by a female entrepreneur, who co-founded the business with her husband in 1997. Specialized in breeding, production, and distribution of premium shrimps, ATISA farms vannamei shrimps of the highest quality for both local and international markets and is recognised through its own brand called COOL!. The shrimp larvae are cultivated in a hatchery in Ecuador and then imported into Peru where they are farmed to maturity. ATISA has laboratories specialized in the supply of shrimp larvae and owns aquaculture fields dedicated for shrimp production.

ATISA is the first Peruvian company that obtained the GLOBAL G.A.P. Aquaculture certification in 2016. The certification has enabled the company to grow internationally and gain access to premium clients. ATISA is now looking to comply with the rigorous Aquaculture Stewardship Council (“ASC”) and internationally recognized Organic standards to further exploit the market potential for sustainably farmed shrimps. The CFC supports its ambition to improve its sustainable farming processes while meeting the measurable social and environmental aspects of the certification’s standards. The certification along with the installation of an IQF freezing line, is expected to open doors to particularly European clients.

ATISA also intends to expand into shrimp processing to increase its offering of peeled shrimps, a high value product with less volatile commodity prices than unprocessed whole or headed shrimps. The company has been selling its peeled shrimps to international clients for some years via third-party processors but was experiencing capacity constraints. In 2017, it entered into an exclusive rental agreement with a former fishery plant. The obsolete fishery has been transformed into a modern shrimp processing facility, equipping shrimp peeling machines and cold storage facilities. The CFC loan enables the company to acquire the plant before the end of the rental contract, subject to co-financing of local financial institutions. The plant will create much needed jobs in the region, employing a further 60 skilled people, alongside the 50 people already permanently employed in ATISA’s shrimp farm.

Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the CFC stated the following upon announcing their partnership with ATISA: “We are delighted to partner with ATISA in their journey towards organic, sustainable market practices and value addition. The demand for shrimps is growing globally, and it is increasingly important to ensure that shrimps are farmed responsibly to minimize the environmental footprint and safeguard the rights of farm workers. By taking the lead in improving their environmental and social impacts, ATISA is showing that the private sector has an important role to play in sustainability.”

Patricia Matto, Founder and sales director of ATISA: “Partnering with CFC enables us to unlock the market potential for high value added and internationally certified products. We strongly believe in the value of responsible aquaculture and hope that our model will stimulate further engagement of our suppliers towards sustainable farm management. In spite of the extra complications that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought, ATISA remains committed to obtain the certifications while further improving its farming and business practices”.

Under pressure from a global landscape in which consumers are increasingly concerned with health and ecological sustainability, CFC welcomes such initiatives for socially responsible farming from female-owned enterprises.

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