Thai shrimp farmers oppose eased import rules over disease risks

Thansettakij•Economy•6d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai Shrimp Farmers Alliance opposes reducing shrimp import inspection steps due to disease risks and price competition from Ecuador.

•The Thai Shrimp Farmers Alliance opposes easing import procedures without a comprehensive risk assessment.
•Shrimp from Ecuador is approximately 70 baht per kilogram cheaper than Thai shrimp.
•Malaysia has suspended imports of Thai shrimp since June 1, 2026.
•The Thai Shrimp Farmers Alliance proposes a Joint Strategic Framework for raw material and price management.

Overview

•Apichit Worakit of the Thai Shrimp Farmers Alliance argues that reducing import checks could increase the risk of aquatic animal diseases and affect the confidence of export markets.
•Shrimp from Ecuador is priced approximately 70 baht per kilogram lower than Thai shrimp, which could pressure domestic prices.
•Apichit Worakit warns that a disease outbreak would impact the entire system, not just the farmers.
•The Thai Shrimp Farmers Alliance proposes that if imports are necessary, measures to regulate volume, the proportion of Thai shrimp purchases, and price mechanisms must be implemented.
•The Thai Shrimp Farmers Alliance suggests creating a Joint Strategic Framework to systematically manage raw materials, imports, prices, and disease issues.
•Malaysia has suspended the import of Thai shrimp since June 1, 2026, and no conclusion has been reached to resume normal exports.
•The Thai Shrimp Farmers Alliance calls on the Department of Fisheries to accelerate the resolution of the Malaysian import suspension.

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Key Quotes

Apichit Worakit

"Imports must not look only at speed, but must consider the biological safety of the industry."

การนำเข้าต้องไม่มองเฉพาะเรื่องความรวดเร็ว แต่ต้องคำนึงถึงความปลอดภัยทางชีวภาพของอุตสาหกรรม

Apichit Worakit

"The solution must create balance for the whole industry: operators must have raw materials, farmers must have markets, consumers must get quality products, and Thailand must maintain confidence in Thai shrimp standards."

ทางออกต้องสร้างสมดุลให้ทั้งอุตสาหกรรม ผู้ประกอบการต้องมีวัตถุดิบ เกษตรกรต้องมีตลาด ผู้บริโภคต้องได้สินค้าที่มีคุณภาพ และประเทศไทยต้องรักษาความเชื่อมั่นในมาตรฐานกุ้งไทย

Key Entities

Organization

Thai Shrimp Farmers Alliance(พันธมิตรผู้เลี้ยงกุ้งไทย)

An organization representing shrimp farmers that opposes the reduction of import procedures and proposes a Joint Strategic Framework.

Department of Fisheries(กรมประมง)

The government agency urged by shrimp farmers to resolve the suspension of Thai shrimp imports by Malaysia.

Person

Apichit Worakit(อภิชิต วรกิจ)

The Secretary-General of the Thai Shrimp Farmers Alliance.

Place

Ecuador(เอกวาดอร์)ℹ️

A country whose shrimp are priced approximately 70 baht per kilogram lower than those of Thailand.

Malaysia(มาเลเซีย)ℹ️

A country that has suspended the import of Thai shrimp since June 1, 2026.

Policy

Joint Strategic Framework(กรอบความร่วมมือเชิงยุทธศาสตร์ร่วมกัน)

A proposed framework to determine guidelines for raw material management, imports, prices, and disease resolution.