And shifting to shrimp imports from EMS-free countries may not prove a long-term solution for the world market, experts warned in a Bangkok Post article.
To date, the disease has yet to be reported in
confirmed to be in
"It's almost inevitably going to get to these other countries," said Briggs. "And if it does get in the other countries, which is pretty likely that it will, then there is going to be a really, really severe shortfall."
EMS first raised its head on Chinese farms in 2009, and gradually spread to
The four countries accounted for about 70 percent of the world's shrimp exports in 2011, according to figures from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
"My farm was affected in August last year, when we lost about 80 percent of our stock," said Prayoon Hongrat, president of Sureerath Farm in Chantaburi province, in eastern
"We need to bring our water supply from outside and we think that is what spread the disease in our nursery," said Prayoon, whose farm specializes in organic shrimp raised in environmentally friendly conditions.
Scientists still don't know much about
"This is different," said Simon Funga-Smith, Senior Fisheries Officer at the Bangkok FAO headquarters. "Most of the past diseases have been caused by a virus infecting the animal, but
"At the moment we've only literally just been able to sort of replicate the disease in the laboratory, which is the first step you need to take," he said.
Shrimp farms are highly prone to the rapid spread of new viruses because they are mono-cultures.
Since 2001, Asian farms have shifted from raising Penaeus monodon (black tiger), indigenous to
The switch has accounted for Asian dominance in shrimp exports for the past decade. It has also led to overstocking of ponds and, inevitably, degraded pond environments and weaker shrimp stock.
"This disease came from God, because we have been too greedy," said Poj Aramwattananont, president of the Thai Frozen Foods Association.
"In the future, each country, including
reach a sustainable production," he said.
Since the EMS epidemic,
Despite a decline in volume,
But some of that was sourced from imported shrimp, which cost the country $170 million (€127.5 million) last year, it confirmed.
"Our main concern is how to overcome diseases, particularly early mortality syndrome," said Syed Omar Jaafar, president of the Malaysian Shrimp Association.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
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