Thailand´s shrimp and prawn exports for 2010 are expected to exceed 400,000 tonnes worth THB 100 billion (USD 3.3 billion) as a result of reduced global supplies due to a viral disease outbreak that harshly affected harvests.

According to Thai Shrimp Association President Somsak Paneetatyasai, shrimp exports in 2010 have been very positive regardless of the listless global economy and diminishing shrimp consumption.

For 2011, the outlook is also hopeful because global production is expected to remain in a slump, Bangkok Post reports.

"Exports next year will be unchanged from this year. Key players in the industry, namely farmers, traders, manufacturers and exporters, have to focus on safety standards in a bid to stabilise prices," he said, The Nation reports.

In the first 10 months of 2010, the country exported 355,211 tonnes of shrimp representing an 11 per cent jump, with export values of THB 83.04 billion (USD 2.8 billion) or an 8 per cent climb year-on-year.

Exports rose mainly due to a shrinking shrimp supply from Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil and China because harvests were hit by the viral outbreak, and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year slashed the US supply by 60,000-80,000 tonnes, Somsak said.

Consequently, Thai shrimp shipments to the US escalated by 5 per cent to 162,659 tonnes worth THB 39.39 billion (USD 1.3 billion), representing a rise of 3.6 per cent in the 10-month period.

Exports to Japan grew as well: by 9.7 per cent to 63,819 tonnes worth THB 16.80 billion (USD 557.8 million) or up 6.39 per cent. Exports to the European Union (EU) reached 56,662 tonnes rising by 24.5 per cent at THB 12.64 billion (USD 419.7 million), a rise of 17.73 per cent.

Somsak noted that the most promising market is the EU market because shrimp consumption there is as high as 700,000 tonnes per annum.

Also, he said that shipments to China increased as a result of the World Expo in Shanghai and the Asian Games. Exports rose by 186 per cent to 10,446 tonnes at THB 1.43 billion (USD 47.5 million), soaring 125.3 per cent.

In Thailand, shrimp prices are estimated at THB 155 (USD 5.15) per kg (50 shrimp) - a mount from THB 125 - THB 130 (USD 4.15 to USD 4.32) in 2009, and the prices in the first quarter of 2011 should oscillate in that same range.

Somsak said that because the viral shrimp diseases have not yet been tackled, authorities must be vigilant of imports of parent stock and shrimp larvae from countries whose stocks are at risk of infection.