Thai shrimp exporters ask EU to defer import duty hike while they deal with EMS

News 10:07 22/07/2013 496
"We want the EU to consider extending such tax privileges for a certain period of time while Thailand is trying every way to defeat the disease," said Somsak Panitatyasai, president of the Thai Shrimp Association.

The association and 20 representatives from other groups submitted a letter to Antonio Berenguer, head of Trade Economic Affairs at the EU office in Bangkok, as the representative of EU Ambassador David Lipman, urging the office to extend tax privileges granted to Thailand under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). They argued that the Thai shrimp industry has been devastated by Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS).

To aid in the recovery of the Thai shrimp industry, they are dire need of stability in the EU market. While the Thai-EU FTA is under negotiation, Thai processed shrimp is scheduled to graduate from the GSP next January 1, when the import duty rises from 7 per cent to 12 per cent.

Thai processed shrimp and its GSP breaks are most vital to the survival of the country's shrimp industry. Not only will the extension of GSP support farmers and their families, it will also benefit EU retailers, food makers and consumers.

With EMS as the culprit since late last year, Thai shrimp production to date is down by 50 per cent. Shrimp production runs about 500,000-550,000 tonnes a year, with the peak at 640,000 tonnes in 2010. The forecast for this year is 250,000 tonnes at best.

The other associations include the Thai Marine Shrimp Farmer Association, Thai Eastern Shrimp Association and shrimp farmer clubs from Surat Thani, Chantaburi, Pattani, Krabi and Trang.

After the meeting with Berenguer, Somsak quoted him as saying that in his opinion the free trade talks between Thailand and the EU will be one of the ways to encourage Thai exports.

Tsunami

In 2004, EU restored the GSP for Thai shrimp to help farmers earn money after their farms were wiped out by the great tsunami.

However, the adverse consequences of the loss of tax perks to the livelihoods of Thai shrimp farmers and those in the whole chain involving 1.5 million people and their families are immeasurable.

"This is a shrimp tsunami if not worse than the real one."

The shortfall will disrupt businesses in the retail trade. Food makers and EU consumers, who have enjoyed for years the security of supply of this high nutritional seafood, will feel the pinch. 

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Vietnamese clams face the challenge of maintaining their position in major markets

 |  09:05 26/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.

Pangasius “goes offshore”: technology and market challenges

 |  09:05 24/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.

Tilapia exports in April 2026 surge, Brazil accounts for more than half of total turnover

 |  08:26 23/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.

Shrimp farming shifts toward proactive disease prevention and system management

 |  08:54 20/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.

Vietnamese tilapia faces mounting challenges in seed supply, capital, and export markets

 |  08:37 17/05/2026

(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.

ASEAN: A promising market for Vietnamese pangasius exports

 |  08:18 15/05/2026

(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.

Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries recognized as comparable under the US MMPA

 |  10:51 13/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.

Vietnamese tuna regains growth momentum in

 |  08:44 12/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.

Israel increases imports of Vietnamese tuna: what opportunities for businesses in 2026?

 |  09:04 08/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.

U.S. whitefish market in early 2026: slowing demand, rising competition, and new pressure on pangasius

 |  08:48 06/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC