Thailand's shrimp exports will probably post no growth next year due to sluggish global demand, especially in Europe and the US.
Somsak Paneetatyasai, president of the Thai Shrimp Association, said export volume is expected to remain at 350,000 tonnes next year.Overall shrimp production is projected at 540,000 tonnes this year, down 10% from 600,000 tonnes in 2011, due to diseases known as early mortality syndrome and white spot syndrome.
Exports have also declined by 10% this year.
However, Mr Somsak said export value would remain unchanged at 100 billion baht this year.
He said price trends in 2013 would be about the same as this year _ 140 baht for shrimp sizes of 70 units per kilogramme.
Global shrimp production is expected to total 2.02 million tonnes this year, down 13% from last year, because of the spread of emerging shrimp diseases and climate changes.
The other major shrimp exporters are China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Mr Somsak said Thailand can maintain its position as a leading exporter for at least three years, thanks to aquaculture development and quality.
In the first 10 months of this year, Thailand's shrimp export volume totalled 285,000 tonnes, down 12.31%, for a value of 79.13 billion baht, down 12.67%.
Mr Somsak said the association was urging the government to accelerate negotiations with the US government to solve export obstacles including anti-dumping measures.
"We want the US government to exempt the existing anti-dumping duty of 1.38%," he added.
The shrimp industry has come under scrutiny after a Public Broadcasting System documentary claimed Thailand was using child migrants in factories.
Thailand and Bangladesh have been on the US government's tier 2 watch list for two years.
"The government should raise talks with the US to solve this problem as Washington will review the country's status in February," Mr Somsak said.
"If Thailand is placed in the second tier for a third year, the country will be downgraded to third tier, which could mean more stringent non-tariff barriers and result in less competitiveness."
Mr Somsak said the government should also start discussing a free trade agreement with the European Union as scheduled in February.
