Size economies and optimal scheduling in shrimp production: results from a computer simulation model

This paper describes a computer simulation model developed to analyze the economics of shrimp production under different stocking regimes, harvesting schedules, and farm sizes. The operation examined is 'closed-market' where all stages of production occur on-site, and the final product, adult shrimp, are sold in the market. The model was parameterized using existing market data and secondary production data collected from experimental units at the Oceanic Institute in Hawaii. Results indicated that a weekly stocking and harvesting regime is more profitable than either a biweekly or 8-week stocking and harvesting regime. Scale economics indicated that the minimum farm size is twenty-six growout ponds and the optimal farm size is 64 growout ponds. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.