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) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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