Date: February 28, 2025

Participants:

Mr. Anucha, President of the Thai Frozen Foods Association

Ms. Nareerat, Deputy Director of the Association

Format: Zoom Video Conference

The session was organized to gather insights on the fisheries product supply chain and formulate policy recommendations for the National Fisheries Policy Committee.

1. Fisheries Supply Chain Overview

A supply chain diagram was presented to the Committee. The meeting advised further stakeholder consultation.

Domestic production: 2,067,214 tons (49%)

Imports: 2,079,216 tons (51%)

Domestic consumption: 2,248,131 tons (54%)

Exports: 1,898,209 tons (46%)

2. Export Growth & Processing Capacity

Export volume has increased by 19%, with imports making up nearly 10%. There is potential to expand domestic production, as existing processing plants still have available capacity.

3. Capture Fisheries Regulation

Current laws mainly regulate commercial fisheries. It was proposed that enforcement should also cover small-scale fisheries, especially regarding catch size, fishing gear, and seasonal closures.

4. Aquaculture Disease Management

Aquaculture operations have implemented disease control measures, research initiatives, and prevention systems to contain outbreaks.

5. Government Oversight & Import Control

Imported products must comply with IUU regulations under the Fisheries Royal Ordinance.

Disease control is governed by the Animal Epidemics Act.

FDA randomly inspects aquatic product imports under tariff codes 0302, 0303, and 0306 (approx. 1,300 samples/year within budget constraints).

The private sector may be asked to support and enhance inspection efforts.

6. Private Sector Proposals

Increase shrimp production to 450,000 tons.

Promote import of fish for surimi and processed seafood production (e.g., fish balls).

Address forced labor issues; Thailand remains listed under the US TVPRA.

Request government support for Fishery Improvement Projects (FIP).

Expedite negotiations for the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

7. Animal Feed Sector Needs

With feed accounting for 60–70% of aquaculture production costs, the sector recommends reducing import duties on feed ingredients such as wheat and soybean meal.