Thailand is expected to witness an increase in shrimp output next year thanks to better aquaculture technology and effective shrimp disease control.
The kingdom is set to produce between 350,000 metric tons (MT) and 400,000 MT of shrimp in 2020, up 20.7 percent-37.9 percent from estimated 290,000 MT this year, due to higher production efficiency and effective efforts to tackle shrimp diseases, the Bangkok Post reported last week, quoting Thai Shrimp Association President Somsak Paneetatyasai.
"For 2020, the association is more upbeat on the industry," Somsak said. "Domestic shrimp production will fare better than the past two years thanks to better aquaculture technology and effective shrimp disease control."
Exports of shrimp are expected to go up to 192,000 MT next year, an increase of 20 percent from the estimated 160,000 MT this year.
Somsak said the value of shrimp exports is also likely to grow by 20 percent in 2020 from estimated THB 50 billion to THB 55 billion (USD 1.65 billion to USD 1.82 billion, EUR 1.48 billion to EUR 1.63 billion) in 2019.
Thailand’s shrimp export value this year, however, is expected to decrease 11 percent from 2018 due to the increasing strength of the country's currency, the baht. The association predicts the country's shrimp production this year to stay on par with 2018, saying volatile weather and relatively low shrimp prices were also issues. This comes despite successful shrimp disease management by farmers, Somsak said.
Production from the lower southern region of the country is expected to account for 34 percent of this year's estimated output, with the eastern region making up 30 percent, the upper southern region 25 percent, and the central region 12 percent.
In the first 10 months, Thailand shipped 135,249 MT of shrimp, with export value falling 11.8 percent year-on-year to THB 40.2 billion (USD 1.33 billion, EUR 1.19 billion), mainly to the United States, Japan, China, Australia, and the European Union.
Somsak said the industry's major concern for next year remains the baht's strength, but he was optimistic about the long-term prospects of Thai shrimp being boosted by higher consumption demand.
He called on the government to take care of the baht to make it more competitive, offer easier access to capital for small-scale shrimp farmers and speed up making free trade agreements, especially with the E.U.
According to Somsak, the global shrimp production is estimated at 3.4 million MT this year, up 5 percent from 2018, with the higher production coming largely from India, Vietnam, and countries in Central and South America. India, in particular, is leading the way, and is expected to produce nearly 600,000 MT in 2019.
Photo courtesy of Warakorn Buaphuean/Shutterstock
