Scalable and Sustainable Shrimp Farming Strategies for SMEs in the Philippines

Abstract

Shrimp aquaculture is one of the most valuable sectors of the Philippine fisheries industry that plays a crucial role in food security, employment, and export earnings. However, despite high demand both internationally and domestically, the industry keeps dealing with persistent challenges such as disease outbreaks, limited access to technology, high production costs, and inadequate institutional support. These issues limit the competitiveness of Philippine shrimp producers compared with aquaculture countries like Vietnam and China. This research seeks to investigate how small and medium-sized enterprises in the Philippine shrimp aquaculture sector can achieve global competitiveness through scalable and sustainable business strategies. A qualitative secondary data design was used, drawing information from credible sources, institutional reports, academic publications, and comparative studies of successful shrimp farming models in other Asian countries. The data were analyzed thematically and through comparative and SWOT analysis to identify key drivers of sustainability factors in regional counterparts. The study finds that aligning value-chain competitiveness with sustainability principles and institutional support can help strengthen Philippine shrimp farming SMEs, although achieving sustained competitiveness will depend on consistent policy implementation and coordinated industry efforts. In line with this, the recommendations highlight the significance of public-private collaboration, increased access to sustainable technologies, and stronger policy integration as viable ways for long-term sectoral development.