Thai Shrimp Industry Faces Challenges & Trade Dispute

Thailand’s shrimp industry is working to recover from a decade of setbacks, including the 2012 outbreak of early mortality syndrome (EMS) which reduced annual production from 640,000 to roughly 270,000-280,000 tonnes. The industry also recently navigated a suspension of shrimp imports from Malaysia, triggered by Thai restrictions on Malaysian sea bass.

Government officials from both countries met in July to expedite inspection processes and expect to restore trade within 30 days. Beyond the immediate trade dispute, Thai shrimp farmers struggle with persistent disease outbreaks, white spot, EMS, and others, that increase production costs and reduce yields.

A lack of locally adapted, disease-resistant shrimp breeds further complicates matters. The Thai Shrimp Association is requesting 5.5 billion baht from the government to fund a national action plan focused on research and development, improved farm management, and enhanced collaboration between academic and research institutions, hoping to emulate Ecuador’s success in overcoming similar challenges.