Vijayawada: In a desperate attempt to recover from severe losses in shrimp farming, thousands of aqua farmers across Andhra Pradesh turned to murrel (snakehead) fish cultivation, hoping it would be a profitable alternative. However, this shift has now led to another crisis, as a steep fall in market prices has left many farmers in financial distress.Encouraged by the high retail prices of murrel—once reaching 700 per kg—farmers across the coastal belt, especially in the Godavari districts, invested heavily in murrel fish cultivation. Known for its minimal bones and rich taste, murrel gained popularity among consumers. But as cultivation expanded, supply soon outpaced demand, crashing prices. In Jan 2023, murrel fetched 650 per kg. By mid-2025, it dropped to around 300 per kg, causing widespread concern.Aqua farmer Bandaru Trinath Babu from Akividu shared, “We stopped shrimp farming after suffering major losses. Murrel seemed promising, but it takes eight months to grow and costs nearly 180 per kg. With the prices falling so low, we fear we won’t recover our investment.”According to the national fisheries development board, AP leads the country in aquaculture, with over 2.12 lakh hectares under cultivation. Vannamei shrimp, once dominant, declined after a viral outbreak in 2018, prompting farmers to explore options like murrel and seabass.Despite the initial hype around murrel’s profitability, farmers are now wary. Many consumers, too, are sceptical. Some claim that farmed murrel lacks the rich flavour of wild varieties, and concerns about excessive pesticide use have dampened enthusiasm.
