18/12/13: Thai Shrimp output expected to recover somewhat in 2014 says Shrimp Association

As shrimp farmers expect to recover from a difficult year - overcoming disease and especially EMS - and a glimmer of a promise that western markets are on the road to financial recovery, there is significant optermism that 2014 will be a good year for Asia shrimp farmers, and Thai farmers in particular.

Shrimp farms in Thailand

"With stringent control of disease and innovation in shrimp hatcheries, output should increase next year. Shrimp production should be back to normal by the second quarter. Shrimp exports should also rise, thanks to more supply and stronger demand from importing countries including the US, EU and Japan," says Somsak Praneetatyasai, the Thai Shrimp Association's president.

An increase of 20 percent in local output is expected, offsetting some of the losses of 2013 and reaching some 300,000-320,000 tonnes for the year ahead. In 2013 output fell by an unprecedented 54 percent to just over 250,000 tonnes due to EMS (early mortality syndrome) in shrimp hatcheries.

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