WALAILAK KEERATIPIPATPONG

The Fisheries Department is preparing to launch the second roadmap for Thailand's shrimp industry over the next three years, with reducing dependence on the United States market one key objective.

The plan, to be implemented from 2009 to 2011, will encourage shrimpers to explore new export markets such as Russia and countries in the Middle East, rather than relying on the volatile US market, which now controls about half of Thai shrimp exports, according to a source at the department.

Given the large proportion of Thai shrimp exports to this gigantic market, of which the economy has become unpredictable, Thai shrimpers will be better off finding new destinations and maintaining the share of the US market in total exports at around 40%, the source said.

The roadmap, outlined during many brain-storming sessions among producers, exporters and state agencies, plans to promote sustainable growth for the industry, in terms of both production and export income.

The volume of output over the next three years would stay at above 500,000 tonnes per year, mainly from cultivated shrimp, while export revenue is projected to exceed 100 billion baht, the source said.

The official said that the first three-year plan, which ends this year, had met all targets in pushing the industry's exports to 70-80 billion baht on average and output volume to about 450,000 tonnes.

Notably, it has been successful in enlarging plantation areas by 10% and improving yields of white shrimp and black tiger shrimp to over 900 kilogramme and 750 kg per rai respectively this year, from about 800 kg and about 550 kg last year.

"Above all, the plan has succeeded in promoting a better environment at shrimp farms, producing healthier shrimp that meets international standards and allows consumers to trace back production sources," the source added.

Along with the main roadmap, the Office of Agricultural Economics also introduced a new strategic plan to promote sustainable growth of the shrimp industry in the east coast of Thailand.

The area, covering nine provinces along the Gulf of Thailand, is one of the country's important shrimp production bases, producing over 30% of the total shrimp output, estimated at 450,000 to 500,000 tonnes this year.

The provinces comprise Trat, Chanthaburi, Rayong, Chon Buri, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri and Samut Prakan.

Suwakon Songsangthum, director of Zone 6 of the OAE, said aquatic produce had faced several problems and that producers and farmers must pool efforts to tackle problems.

One initiative from the plan, she said, is to establish an eastern shrimp institute to promote sustainable growth of the industry.