Bangkok--Jan 16--Thai Shrimp Association
Mr. Somsak Paneetatyasai, President of Thai Shrimp Association, talked about Thai shrimp farming situation. Due to the weather conditions, farmers have to delay stocking of their ponds by 1-2 months resulting in lower production expected in the second quarter of this year. It could be 50% lower than the same period last year. As such, prices of shrimp from now till mid-year should remain firm.
"The weather this year is quite fluctuating. There are heavy rainfalls, especially in southern Thailand which still has occasional tropical storms; many areas have been flooded. Farmers could not prepare their ponds to stock the new crop. This will delay their pond stocking by 1-2 months. Harvesting of the new crop will be not occur until June/July or about 1-2 months later than in normal year. Unlike last year The weather was favorable to shrimp farming. The weather was not cold in the winter and productivity was good resulting in a very high output especially in the months of April, May and June. Weather this year is unlike last year. Shrimp production could be 50% lower than last year. That being the case, shrimp prices from now until mid-year should be very favorable," Mr. Somsak said.
Prices of white shrimp on January 19, 2006 for sizes 50, 60, 70 and 80 pcs/kg are 175, 145, 120 and 110 Bht/kg respectively; and for black tiger shrimp sizes 50, 60, 70 and 80 pcs/kg are 150, 140, 135 and 130 Bht/kg respectively.
Data from Thai Customs Department show shrimp exports from January - November 2005 to be 260,426 tons valued at Bht 65,693 million or 21% and 8.5% increase respectively from the same period last year.
For more information please contact:
Somsak Paneetatyasai
Thai Shrimp Association (TSA)
Tel (01) 830-2448 End.