Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has expressed readiness to hold talks with Malaysia after discussions on Thailand's shrimp exports were postponed indefinitely, amid growing concern over losses to the domestic industry.
The move follows Malaysia’s decision to postpone talks between fisheries agencies from both countries, originally scheduled for Monday, without setting a new date.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Suriya said the ministry was ready to negotiate with Malaysian authorities if the Department of Fisheries could not resolve the dispute, which stems from Malaysian concerns over sanitary measures applied to Thai shrimp exports.
Malaysia suspended imports of five Thai shrimp species on June 1, apparently as a reciprocal trade measure after Thailand restricted Malaysian seabass over residue concerns.
Mr Suriya said the Department of Fisheries had already submitted a full clarification about the shrimp species in question and received a positive response, despite Malaysia declining to proceed with the planned meeting.
He also said Thailand would review inspection procedures for Malaysian seabass imports, using technology to streamline checks and reduce processing time in a bid to satisfy both sides.
“Retaliation by both sides does not bring benefits,” he said, adding that dialogue was the best path towards a “win-win” outcome because trade was not a zero-sum game.
If department-level talks fail, Mr Suriya said he may send a letter to Malaysia’s agriculture minister to arrange ministerial-level negotiations.
The ministry also plans to meet the Thai Shrimp Association to discuss proposals for sustainable industry development.
Ekapoj Yodpinit, president of the Thai Shrimp Association, said the group had petitioned Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to raise the matter to government-to-government negotiations, arguing the dispute was too significant to be resolved at the agency level.
He said the row was also linked to Malaysia’s concerns over Thailand’s inspection procedures for seabass imports, particularly lengthy residue testing.
Mr Ekapoj said shrimp farmers were suffering as a result of mounting daily losses, with exports affected by as much as 100 tonnes per day, or about 3,000 tonnes per month.
On Friday, shrimp farming groups from over 20 provinces submitted proposals to the Department of Fisheries, urging immediate market intervention and a Shrimp Board meeting by Wednesday.
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