February 27, 2008

Thailand's shrimp farmers request government to peg feed prices

Thai shrimp farmers have requested the Commerce Ministry to offer solutions to high feed prices, which is giving them a hard time.

The request was submitted on a letter via representatives. The representative report, and chairman of the Aquaculture Association of Thailand, Sompong Chaowangthai, said that high feed prices have increased by 9 percent over two months' time.

Not only has production costs increased, but prices of gasoline and electricity have also increased, making the situation double hard for shrimp farmers, who are now calling for the ministry to peg feed prices.

Animal feed entrepreneurs will be invited to discuss the price situation within this week, said Watcharee Wimuktayont, deputy director-general of the Department of Internal Trade.