Despite the global economic downturn, Thailand's shrimp industry remains vibrant with growth in both volume and value expected in 2009.
According to the Bangkok Post, local shrimp production has increased five percent in 2009 to 520,000 tonnes. Exports are also up five percent to about 390,000 tonnes.
Somsak Paneetatyasai, the President of the Thai Shrimp Association remarked that the industry had been left unscathed by the global financial crisis.
"Earlier this year we planned to cut local production by 20 percent to 396,000 tonnes to cope with the expected shrinking demand… but until now, the world's shrimp consumption has remained strong," he told the Bangkok Post.
The continued popularity of Thai shrimp has been attributed to its quality and the efficiency of export.
There are currently 22,000 shrimp farmers with 110,000 shrimp ponds in Thailand. Shrimp production in 2008 was 495,000 tonnes.
