Thai shrimp sees more room in Australia

Monday 16 July 2018 16:26
Seafood Importers Association of Australia Inc (SIAA) suggests Thai shrimp exporters apply more B2C (Business to Consumer) marketing strategy to allow consumer learns more on farming system that ensure food safety.

During the visit in Bangkok recently, Mr. Norman Grant, Executive Chairman of SIAA, said Australian Government has stringent inspection on imported prawn to prevent white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Moreover, concerned government agencies have jointed hand with private sector to conduct research and development and inspect farms to ensure eradication of the white spot disease.

Since last year, the outbreak of WSSV had damaged shrimp farm production mainly in Queensland. The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has to implemented urgent treatment and discharge on all infected prawn farms in its southern area. Surveillance is part of a two-year process to demonstrate proof of freedom from white spot disease.

"Australia concerns much on prawn diseases particularly the virus to prevent the production away from any infections," noted Mr.Grant.

Mr. Grant added that increasing population in Australia to 23-24 million people, particularly the migrants from Asia will expand prawn consumption. The country consumes an average of 100,000 ton per year, of that 30% has been imported. Wild shrimp harvesting accounts about 80-90 per cent of the total demand and the rest comes from farm.

However, Australian consumers have less information about Thai shrimp that how they are farmed. Thai exporters have directly connected with their importers who have a lot of details of the products but it has not been conveyed to consumers. Australia has over 200 seafood importers and they have different marketing practices. So that, it is necessary to communicate with consumer especially via B2C campaign instead of focusing only on B2B (business to business). The strategy will allow those consumers learn more on Thai shrimp for their decision makings.

Mr.Grant pointed that it is also important to have information on the package where the shrimp comes from and how it save the environment.

"Without any information for consumers, they will turn eye to other meat such as lamp or chicken as their lower prices. Australian consumers know seafood very well that it good for life also their happiness," Mr.Grant stressed.

Mr.Premsak Wanuchsoontorn, Executive Vice President – Aquaculture Business at Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF), said the company's shrimp farming has been equipped with high technologies as well as relied mainly on international standards. It operates integrated closed-operation farm with stringent measures to prevent diseases. Surveillance of diseases always be worked in the farm.

"The test kit that CPF uses in farm has the same standard as in Australia which the company has launched relevant with quality inspection to make sure that its production is far away of any diseases," said Mr. Premsak, adding that the white spot virus has not been found in its farms.

Thailand's shrimp export to Australia achieves 5,000–6,000 tonnes per year, including boiled shrimp and cooked shrimp.

CPF successfully developed 3-cleaning approach (clean pond, clean water, clean stock) to prevent EMS (Early Mortality Syndrome). The company also transfers this technique to farmers nationwide to ease off the virus.