Projects > Brief descriptions > Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Marine Shrimp Aquaculture Sector

Contact person

For further information please contact:
Dr James Tomecko
Email: james.tomecko@giz.de

Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Marine Shrimp Aquaculture Sector

Project description

Title: Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Marine Shrimp Aquaculture Sector
Commissioned by: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development)
Country: Thailand
Lead executing agency: The Department of Fisheries (DOF)
Overall term: January 2006 to December 2007

Context

The marine shrimp aquaculture sector is a major source of employment and income generator for Thailand.

Approximately 500,000 rais of land are used for shrimp farming, and it is estimated that up to one million people are involved in the shrimp sector, whose turnover accounts for roughly one percent of Thailand’s GDP. Thailand has been the world’s number one exporter of shrimp since the 1980s, but in recent years its world market share has been declining. Having lost its comparative advantage in terms of cheap labour and abundant natural resources, and faced with competition from new producers such as Bangladesh, Ecuador and Vietnam, it is imperative that the Thai shrimp industry upgrades its competitiveness to avoid being left behind.

Objective

The purpose of the project is to enhance the competitiveness of the marine shrimp aquaculture sector in Thailand by improving the productivity and business performance of shrimp farmers and processors, supporting innovations in eco-efficiency such as the use of solar and wind energy, as well as encouraging the adoption of sustainable shrimp farming practices.

Approach

The methodology involves conducting a detailed sector analysis to identify key constraints and opportunities related to the improvement of the sector’s competitiveness. Specific measures are then designed to address these constraints and opportunities.

Results achieved so far

The project focus has been on penetrating the EU market. As its first measure, GTZ organised a trip for a Thai delegation to Bremen, Germany. The delegation attended the “Fish International” Trade Fair and held meetings with the Bremerhaven Logistics Coldstore, Import Inspection Services, as well as Naturland, an organic certification agency. The trip achieved its original objectives of promoting business linkages and improving the image of Thai shrimp. Furthermore, it has opened up a myriad of opportunities, in particular the likelihood of concluding an import inspection agreement between the Department of Fisheries and Bremen Import Inspection Services, setting up a distribution centre for Thai shrimp/seafood products in Bremerhaven, as well as the possibility of starting up organic shrimp farming in Southern Thailand.