The Commerce and Agriculture Ministries have responded to the Prime Minister's directive by tackling the issue of Thai shrimp after Malaysia suspended imports. They are accelerating efforts to absorb shrimp production, open new markets, and prevent farmgate price declines.
On 6 June 2026, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, stated that following Malaysia's announcement to temporarily suspend imports of five Thai shrimp species effective 1 June 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives have promptly devised measures to mitigate impacts on shrimp farmers. These include immediate actions and long-term solutions. The Prime Minister is deeply concerned about the hardships faced by farmers and instructed at the Cabinet meeting on 2 June 2026 that both ministries expedite negotiations with Malaysia and prepare measures to support shrimp farmers, especially in the southern region.
Ms. Ratchada said the Prime Minister prioritizes preventing a drop in farmgate shrimp prices and managing affected production, as the shrimp industry involves farmers, collectors, processing factories, exporters, and numerous workers. The Ministry of Commerce has announced 13 urgent measures aiming to absorb about 400 tons of shrimp per month—roughly matching the average monthly Thai shrimp exports to Malaysia of 300–400 tons, valued at about 44 million baht per month.
Short-term measures will target both domestic and export markets. The Department of International Trade Promotion will accelerate market openings through events in China such as Top Thai Brands in Kunming and Xiamen, Thailand Week in Dalian and Lanzhou, alongside online business matchmaking and promoting Thai shrimp at the global food trade show SIAL. Meanwhile, the Department of Internal Trade will stimulate domestic consumption via the “Delicious by the Sea” event in Phuket, coordinate with local supermarkets in tourist areas to establish shrimp purchase points in target provinces, link exporters, processors, and buyers directly to producers, and utilize the Thai Help Thai Plus and Blue Flag projects to facilitate product distribution.
For the long term, the Department of Fisheries and the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards will expedite discussions with Malaysian authorities to resolve the issue. The Ministry of Commerce has assigned its trade office in Kuala Lumpur to monitor developments closely and stands ready to escalate the matter to the WTO and ASEAN forums if necessary.
“The relevant agencies are systematically addressing this problem. The government’s goal is to protect farmers, maintain farmgate prices, open alternative markets, and minimize the risk of oversupply as much as possible,” she said. Ms. Ratchada concluded.