ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SMALL‐SCALE PRAWN FARMING IN SOUTH CAROLINA1

In 1982, a producer survey was conducted to evaluate the economic potential of small-scale prawn farming, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, as a supplemental source of income in South Carolina. Based on survey data, total costs were estimated to be $1,883.78 and total gross returns were $2,041.69 per 0.4 ha pond, thereby producing a net return of $157.91/0.4 ha pond. Producers felt that marketing was not a problem but all producers identified the non-availability and high cost of seed stocks as a major problem confronting development of an industry. A survey of prawn consumers was conducted to assess product acceptance and preference. The majority of consumers indicated preference for the heads-off form in the 57–110 tail count/kg size category and would purchase prawns about once a month, if available.