Illustrative image. (Photo: globalseafood.org)Bangkok (VNA) – Thaishrimps have been affected by early mortality syndrome (EMS), which hasseverely dented yields since 2012, leading to dependence on imports, accordingto Thai Shrimp Association (TSA).
Thailand used to producemore than 630,000 tonnes of shrimp, but now produces only 280,000 tons worth 43billion baht (about 1.33 billion USD). The output was not enough to meet theneeds of factories so shrimp has to be imported before it is processed forexport, Ekapoj Yodpinit, TSA’s president, was quoted by local media as saying.
The reduction of output hasled to a loss of exports, worth more than 500 billion baht, or an average loss of100 billion baht per year for the past decade, he said.
Thailand was the No. 1 shrimpexporter but has now slid to sixth place. Ecuador, India and Vietnam havebecome major exporters. However, Ekapot said theglobal shrimp market still acknowledges and has faith in the quality of Thaishrimp.
The TSA and partners in theshrimp industry have proposed to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture andCooperatives to formulate guidelines for the development of the aquacultureindustry to ensure sustainability for the country.
The association wants theDepartment of Fisheries (DoF) to urgently research and find cures for threemajor diseases – EMS, white faeces, and red and white spots – which are destroyingshrimp farms. It is necessary for the DoF toresearch to produce disease-resistant young shrimp, an effective diet, andorganise an appropriate raising system.
The association expects asuitable output of 400,000 tons per year, Ekapoj said.
If the plans succeed, theshrimp output will be sufficient to meet the demands of Thai processing plantswithin two years, thereby, freeing the country from the need to import shrimpand farmers would be able to sell at a satisfactory price, he said./.
