September 16, 2013

In the first half of 2013, Thailand exported over 410,000 tonnes of shrimps worth US$474 million, making the country the largest exporter of shrimps to the US.

According to the Director-General of the Foreign Trade Department, Pranee Siriphand, Thailand's shrimp exports to the US had not changed much, although the outbreak of the Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) has reduced supply. The EMS outbreak has spread to China, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Pranee said that, despite the outbreak of the EMS, Thailand was able to maintain its export level due to cooperation of the government and exporters to resolve the issue. However, she warned that Thailand, which now has 18% share of the shrimp market in the US, could lose it to exporters from other countries if it was unable to overcome the EMS outbreak as the US has increased its import from countries such as Indonesia, Ecuador, and India.

Indonesia is the US' second largest shrimp supplier, accounting for 371,000 tonnes worth US$328 million, followed by Ecuador with 390,000 tonnes and India at 371,000 tonnes.