Malaysia plans to increase shrimp production to replace Thai imports as talks on marine product sanitation issues remain stalled.
Adnan Hussain, the Malaysian Fisheries Department director-general, said on Sunday shrimp associations were drawing up a plan to boost production for export and domestic consumption.
A ban on Thai shrimp imports became effective on June 1.
Mr Adnan said Malaysia still has enough supply for domestic consumption
"Our supply remains sufficient, and we have received feedback from farmers and associations that they support this temporary restriction and are now planning to increase production capacity to meet domestic and export demand," he told Bernama news agency.
Malaysia slapped a ban on Thai shrimps citing sanitary concerns from June 1 in retaliation for Thailand's strict health safety inspection of sea bass from Malaysia last month.
Export figures vary. Malaysia said it takes about 11,000 tonnes of shrimp from Thailand each year. However, Thai ministries reported about 400 tonnes were sent to Malaysia every month, or only 4,800 tonnes annually.
Although Mr Adnan was confident about sufficient supply of domestic shrimps for Malaysian consumers, with full backing from farmers and traders, the Malaysia Fish Industries General Association remains worried about the deadlock.
Association president Sing Kian Hock told the Straits Times of Singapore that the problem was not being felt yet, but shrimp prices could rise by as much as 50% if the dispute remains unresolved.
"After two months we will start to see the impact. The supply will not be enough," the Straits Times on Friday quoted him as saying.
Malaysian Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said on Saturday that negotiations were ongoing. Both countries wanted a solution to the dispute.
"We are trying to protect the country's rights and interests, while the Thai side will provide clarification on matters related to fish and shrimp exports to Malaysia," the minister said.
A Thai report on the safety of Thai shrimps has reached the Malaysian ministry. Ministry secretary-general Isham Ishak said the next strep for Malaysia is to verify the information, and determine whether it addresses Malaysian concerns.
