Phl scales crayfish production to 3,000 hectares

The Philippines is expanding its crayfish production to establish the country as a regional hub for high-value seafood. 

Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., in partnership with Taiwan’s Da Shin Biotech Ltd. and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), plans to grow from its current 3-hectare ponds to 3,000 hectares by 2026, targeting 1,200 tons of crayfish every six months.

“Built through the partnership of Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., Da Shin Biotech, and the DA-BFAR, this nursery shows that when government, private innovators, and fisherfolk come together, progress stops being a dream—it becomes our shared reality,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said Friday through Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa.

Crayfish farming, he added, “opens new doors for our fisherfolk—bringing in more income, more livelihood, and more food on our tables,” while stressing that ponds must “nurture care, discipline, and respect for the balance of our ecosystems.”

BFAR has set strict guidelines to protect native aquatic life.

The 1,280-square-meter nursery in Candaba, Pampanga, houses 16 tanks capable of producing 48,000 fry every two weeks and uses water-recycling technology to reduce wastewater and conserve freshwater.

Currently, Farm Fresh’s ponds produce 30 tons of market-size crayfish annually.

The planned expansion covers 1,500 hectares in Luzon and 750 hectares each in the Visayas and Mindanao, supporting partner growers as the sector scales.

Crayfish are nutrient-rich, low-impact, and require minimal feed, making them ideal for sustainable growth. The project is expected to generate over 3,000 direct jobs and spur new enterprises in rural communities.