The Thai Shrimp Association highlighted that the loss from dead shrimp alone is estimated at a minimum of $310 million

Storms Devastate Thailand's Shrimp Industry, Triggering Calls for Urgent Aid

THAILAND
Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 10:00 (GMT + 9)

Historic Floods Wreak Havoc on Southern Region's Key Export Sector

The Thai shrimp industry, a vital component of the national economy, has been severely affected by historic storms and prolonged flooding, particularly in the southern downstream region bordering the Gulf of Thailand. This area alone traditionally contributes more than 10% of the country's total shrimp production. The assessment, based on information provided by the trade-data organization Synthesis and reported by VASEP, indicates a massive blow to the sector.

For nearly two weeks, heavy rains and flooding have ravaged nine southern provinces of Thailand, causing extensive damage to both lives and property. Economically, the shrimp farming and processing industry—one of the country's key export sectors—has suffered the most significant impact.

According to the Thai Shrimp Association, the downstream southern region produces approximately 28,000 tons of shrimp annually, equivalent to 11% of the national output. However, the recent floods have affected more than 13,000 shrimp farming households utilizing earthen ponds, concrete ponds, and cages. The total estimated losses are staggering, amounting to no less than 285 billion baht (US$8.91 billion).

The association further highlighted that the loss from dead shrimp alone is estimated at a minimum of 1 billion baht ($310 million). Beyond the catastrophic loss in production, farming equipment across many sites has also been severely damaged.

In response to this crisis, the Thai Shrimp Association is urgently appealing to the government and relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Energy. The association urges them to promptly assess the damage, provide comprehensive support packages for shrimp farmers, consider granting credit, restructure outstanding debt, and immediately resolve the widespread power outage issues to ensure production can resume on schedule.

Prior to the current crisis, the Thai Ministry of Fisheries had established support criteria for aquaculture households affected by natural disasters. Specifically:

• Households raising freshwater prawns, shrimp, or oysters are eligible for 11,780 baht/rai (US$370/1,600 m²), up to a maximum of 5 rai per household.

• For those raising fish and other aquatic products in earthen ponds, the support level is 4,682 baht/rai (US$146.31/1,600 m²), with a maximum of 5 rai.

  

• For cage farming or cement ponds, the support level is set at 368 baht/m² (US$11.5/m²), with a maximum of 80 m² per household.

The Thai Shrimp Association announced that it will send a formal letter to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, requesting the government to swiftly implement urgent recovery measures for the shrimp industry in the south. This action aims to limit the lasting and detrimental impact on the country's overall economy and export standing.

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print