The Department of Internal Trade visited Surat Thani, revealing that shrimp prices are recovering. Efforts are underway to distribute products nationwide and promote the “Thai Shrimp” brand as a premium product to support farmers.
Mr. Jirawut Suwanart, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, said after visiting Surat Thani province to monitor shrimp production volumes and prices, alongside the Surat Thani Commerce Office, that the Department has been closely tracking the shrimp situation following the ban on Thai shrimp exports to Malaysia. They have integrated efforts with the provincial commerce office, shrimp farmer organizations, collectors and distributors, and shrimp farmers to continuously monitor the situation and implement market management measures.
From the site visit and consultations with all parties, it was found that shrimp production volume and prices are beginning to return to balance. The price problems that previously affected farmers are easing, with prices steadily improving due to the cooperation among all sectors in market management and expedited product distribution.
Mr. Jirawut stated that the Department of Internal Trade has assigned provincial commerce offices nationwide to expedite market linkages and promote shrimp consumption domestically. They are distributing shrimp from key production provinces such as Surat Thani, Trang, and Chachoengsao to destination provinces in the North, Northeast, and other regions to increase sales channels, expand the consumer base, and continuously absorb production from the source areas.
Thanks to the Department’s market linkage mechanisms and provincial commerce offices across the country, shrimp distribution from production areas to destination markets has become efficient, reducing product concentration in production zones. This is a key factor helping shrimp prices to rise, generating income and confidence for shrimp farmers.
Additionally, the Department continues to implement market-driving measures through shrimp consumption campaigns in various provinces, linking products from production areas to destinations nationwide, and organizing shrimp product market caravans to expand sales channels and boost domestic consumption. These efforts accompany the 2026 Domestic Shrimp Production Linking and Distribution Project to help farmers, aiming to stabilize the market and secure sustainable income for shrimp farmers.
At the same time, the Department of Internal Trade held discussions with the Thai Shrimp Association, Surat Thani Shrimp Farmer Club, Tha Thong River Basin Shrimp Farmer Cooperative, and Surat Thani province to set long-term development plans for the Thai shrimp industry. They agreed to promote the “Thai Shrimp” brand as a premium quality product, raising awareness among both Thai and international consumers, boosting confidence in the quality and production standards of Thai shrimp, while encouraging domestic consumption and expanding market opportunities. This aims to increase product value and create stable income for shrimp farmers.
“The Department of Internal Trade will continuously monitor the shrimp situation, integrating cooperation with all sectors in market linkages, consumption campaigns, and building the Thai shrimp image to ensure farmers can sell their products at fair prices and establish sustainable price stability,” said Mr. Jirawut.
Mr. Prasert Malihom, owner of Malihom Floating Market, a collector and shrimp seller in the South, said the current shrimp market situation is satisfactory. Production in the market has decreased according to the farming cycle, while prices have risen to appropriate levels, reviving a lively trading atmosphere.
. Mr. Anurak Changsub, owner of Sriwichai Farm, representing shrimp farmers in Surat Thani, explained that the Ministry of Commerce’s market linkage efforts have clearly improved shrimp prices. He suggested that the government continue supporting the promotion of the “Thai Premium Shrimp” image to enhance the long-term competitiveness of Thai shrimp.
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