June 7, 2012

 

 

Thailand is leading in the world's seafood trade.

 

At last month's European Seafood Exposition, Panisuan Jamnarnwej, president of the Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA), talked about the country's export position.

 

Jamnarnwej explained that Thailand's exports of fresh, chilled and frozen seafood products stand at around 570,000 tonnes, 50% more than a decade ago, but down from a peak of 710,000 tonnes in 2007. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, since 2002, the value of the country's exports fresh, chilled and frozen seafood products has doubled from US$1.2 billion to US$2.75 billion.

 

Exports of shelf-stable seafood products over the past decade have also experienced some significant peaks and troughs, and they now stand at just under 300,000 tonnes. However, the unit price has risen significantly during that period, leading to a total value of US$2.25 billion in 2011, up from US$1.2 million in 2002. This means that the value of Thailand's seafood exports now stand at US$5 billion.

 

"The number one export destination for all Thai seafood is the US, which accounts for 36.4% of the value, closely followed by Japan at 28.4%," said Jamnarnwej.

 

In 2011, Thailand's exports to the United States were valued at US$1.8 billion, up 12.61% from the previous year, while exports to Japan were valued at US$1.43 billion, up 22.4% from 2010.

 

Other countries in the top 10, which together make up more than 85% of the total value of Thailand's exports, are Canada, the UK, Italy, Australia, Germany, South Korea, China and France.

 

"Shrimps is our most important export product and now accounts for just under half of all exports, whereas six years ago it made up 30%," said Jamnarnwej. "In terms of value, almost half (46.25%) went to the US in 2011, with just under a quarter (22.26%) going to Japan."

 

Thailand is the world's second largest producer of shrimp, behind China, and produces white shrimp (Penaeous vannamei), black tiger shrimp (P. monodon) and the giant freshwater shrimp (Machrobranchium rosenbergii).

 

In 2011, Thailand produced 565,000 tonnes of shrimp, not far off from China's 600,000 tonnes. By comparison, Central and South America produced 452,000 tonnes and Vietnam 240,000 tonnes. Total global production in 2011 amounted to 2,335,000 tonnes, up from 2,200,000 tonnes in 2010.

 

EU imports of shrimp in 2011, including coldwater, came to 551,643 tonnes. Thai output accounted for just under 10%, making it the fifth biggest supplier in terms of volume (although second in value), behind Ecuador, Argentina, Greenland and India. The severe flooding in coastal regions in 2010 resulted in volumes declining from 60,922 tonnes to 54,560 tonnes. However, production is now back on track and plentiful supplies are expected in 2012. It is anticipated that an increase in production, along with greater availability of shrimps from Vietnam and India this year, will lead to a reduction in price.

 

Jamnarnwej explained that Thailand's export success was partly due to the considerable efforts made by the Thai government and industry over the past decade to ensure that production and manufacturing standards meet international expectations in terms of food safety, traceability, environmental integrity, social responsibility and labour regulations.

 

However, a major EU importer said these last two issues had been a concern and that considerable pressure had been put on the Thai government to improve them.

 

"An on-going project to address child labour, forced labour and migrant welfare in the shrimp and seafood processing industry has already resulted in the development of a Good Labour Practice program, and we are also improving access to education and social protection services," said Jamnarnwej.

 

"There is always room to do better, so we are not complacent but continually work to maintain our reputation as a responsible supplier of high class seafood," he said.