Thailand shrimp runs into golden year in 2010

The year 2010 has been marked as a profitable year for Thai shrimps as prices increase due to a lack of supply.

Indonesia's shrimp production is currently tormented by the Infectious Myonecrosis Virus (IMN), according to Somsak Paneetatyasai, president of the Thai Shrimp Association.

The emerging disease reduced Indonesia's shrimp output by 40%, while the freezing weather in China has undermined Chinese shrimp production. These two factors resulted in rising shrimp orders from Thailand at around 1,000 tonnes per month.

The shrimp export value for the year 2009 was reported at 187,635 tonnes or 3.68% higher compared to the previous year.

The disease in Indonesia and cold weather in China will push up prices this year, Somsak said. The higher shrimp demand will enhance new marketing opportunities for the shrimp industry in Thailand, but the country will need to take precautions to prevent the IMN disease from entering its shrimp production.