The Location

HUZHOU, ZHEJIANG PROVINCE, CHINA

In 2025, GIANT PRAWN returns to China

The global production of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in 2021 was 313,756 tons, with a value of over $ 2.45 billion. China is the top producer with a production of 171,263 tons, accounting for 54.4% of the global production. Other significant producers included Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, and India. Freshwater prawn farming in China primarily occurs in specialized aquaculture farms that utilize controlled environments such as ponds, tanks, and semi-intensive systems. The major production areas for giant freshwater prawns in China are primarily concentrated in the southern and eastern regions, where the climate and water conditions are suitable for their growth, including Guangdong, Hainan, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, and Fujian and Guangxi.


PRIME LOCATION

Huzhou, located in the northern part of Zhejiang Province, lies at the heart of the Yangtze River Delta region, offering a strategic geographical position and excellent transportation links. By 2024, the completion of the Hu-Hangzhou High-Speed Railway and the Hu-Su-Hu High-Speed Railway will connect all districts and counties, enabling travel to Shanghai in just 30 minutes and to all prefecture-level cities in the Yangtze River Delta within 90 minutes. These connections strengthen Huzhou’s ties to major cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou.

Huzhou has hosted prominent events, including the Anji sub-venue of the Communist Party of China and World Political Parties Leaders’ Summit, as well as the United Nations World Geographic Information Congress. Prestigious conferences like the International Lakeside Resort Conference and the World Rural Tourism Conference are permanently based in Huzhou, showcasing its global appeal as a hub for innovation and collaboration.


HUB FOR MACROBRACHIUM ROSENBERGII SEEDLING PRODUCTION

Huzhou is China’s primary production area for M. rosenbergii seedlings, contributing over 60% of the nation’s total annual output through its more than 60 hatchery enterprises. It serves as the national leader in joint research and breeding initiatives for M. rosenbergii, housing the country’s only genetic and breeding center for freshwater prawns and a national aquatic seed farm.

The region has cultivated three innovative prawn varieties: South Taihu No. 2, South Taihu No. 3, and Sufeng No. 1. With more than 10,000 mu (667 hectares) dedicated to cultivation, Huzhou has established itself as a demonstration zone for advanced farming models, including integrated rice-shrimp, pond-grass-shrimp, and river crab farming systems.


ADVANCED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

Huzhou has built a solid foundation for M. rosenbergii research, achieving several groundbreaking innovations. These include:

Developing the first all-male prawn breeding technology system using DMRT1 gene RNAi and creating false female parents, advancing genetic technologies and enabling fully controlled, all-male prawn production. Identifying the pathogen causing white-tail disease (Noda mura virus) and establishing the industry-standard "Diagnosis Method for White-Tail Disease of M. rosenbergii." Numerous research achievements have earned provincial and ministerial awards, such as:

• First Prize for Science and Technology Progress of Zhejiang Province for "Research on the Cultivation and Supporting Technology of New Varieties of M. rosenbergii."

• First Prize of the National Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fishery Harvest Award for "Joint Breeding and New Variety Demonstration and Promotion of Aquaculture Animals"

The Zhejiang Province has pioneered a transformative "Shrimp + Technology + Brand" model for the M. rosenbergii seed industry, supplying high-quality prawn seed to 27 provinces across China. This thriving industry generates an annual output value exceeding 6 billion yuan (approximately USD 820 million), reinforcing Huzhou's reputation as a global leader in freshwater prawn research and production.

Hotel rooms can be booked at the venue Hotel or in other hotels nearby. Please check our ACCOMMODATION page for details.