Thai shrimp exports are expected to fall 14% this year to only 150,000 tonnes, with values down 21% to about 44 billion baht, attributed mostly to the pandemic and the strong baht.
Somsak Paneetatyasai, president of the Thai Shrimp Association, said a second wave of outbreaks in many countries has weakened demand for shrimp during the Christmas and New Year period.
The association forecast in December last year Thai shrimp exports would recover to a 20% increase this year, in line with increased production.
For the first 10 months this year, Thailand’s shrimp exports totalled only 123,297 tonnes, down 9% year-on-year, with values down 11% to 35.9 billion baht.
According to Mr Somsak, Thailand expects lower production this year of only 270,000 tonnes, down 7% from 290,000 tonnes in 2019, attributed to shrimp diseases and weak…
