November 18, 2011
Thai Shrimp Weekly: Shrimp prices leap as heavy rains threaten supply from the south (week ended Nov 16)
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Price summary
Thai shrimp prices jumped by THB3-8/kg during the week on fears supplies from southern Thailand, where 70% of the country's annual exports come from, could also be in peril at a time when a major shrimp-producing province, Samut Sakhon, faces threat of flooding.
In Mahachai, Thailand's main shrimp market located in Samut Sakhon, the increase ranged from THB5-8/kg, reflecting a strong demand, especially from Bangkok where life is getting back to normal after weeks of flooding.
The increase in the buying prices among members of the Thai Frozen Foods Association, mainly composed of processors and exporters, was moderate - THB3-4/kg. Continuing flood threat in Samut Sakhon, where most of these processors are located, has slowed down processing activities resulting in lower demand.
Market analysis
Floodwaters being drained out from Bangkok and nearby provinces have started to inundate Samut Sakhon. However, latest reports indicate that anti-flood barriers put up by the government and the private sector were holding up in the two major industrial estates where most of the province's about 5,000 seafood processors are located.
The Federation of Thai Industries warned last week that Samut Sakhon faces inundation that could jeopardise the country's seafood exports.
But, the water had been "coming down slower than expected," said Thiraphong Chansiri, president of the Thai Union Frozen Products, Thailand's number one seafood exporter whose main processing plant is located in the province.
He warned that it would be a disaster should if the floods enter downtown Samut Sakhon and adversely affect the factories. The federation had earlier warned that should the flooding hamper the province's industries, the damage, especially to the shrimp sector, could run up to THB150 billion.
The frozen foods association, meanwhile, has expressed concern over the heavy rains that have started to fall in southern Thailand.
It said in a recent analysis that November and December are monsoon months in the south that could result in heavy rains and flooding, as they did about this time last year.
Should this happen, the analysis said, Thailand's 2012 shrimp supply could fall precipitously, resulting in higher shrimp prices.
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White shrimp prices (in Thai baht) at Thailand's main markets | ||||||
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Unit of Measure: Thai Bhat | ||||||
|
Shrimp size |
Mahachai seafood market |
Thai frozen foods association |
Bangkok markets | |||
|
November 9 |
November 16 |
November 9 |
November 16 |
November 9 |
November 16 | |
|
40 pcs/kg |
165 |
170 |
166.00 |
173.80 |
220-230 |
220-230 |
|
50 pcs/kg |
153 |
158 |
148.00 |
153.60 |
190-200 |
190-200 |
|
60 pcs/kg |
135 |
140 |
132.00 |
135.70 |
180-190 |
180-190 |
|
70 pcs/kg |
128 |
135 |
125.70 |
130.00 |
170-180 |
170-180 |
|
80 pcs/kg |
123 |
130 |
118.00 |
122.20 |
160-170 |
160-170 |
|
90 pcs/kg |
118 |
124 |
109.50 |
114.00 |
150-160 |
150-160 |
|
100 pcs/kg |
108 |
116 |
101.00 |
105.00 |
140-150 |
140-150 |
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Note: Farm-gate prices are THB10-15 lower than those at Mahachai market. | ||||||
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