Seafood exports to grow 5% by volume
The expected implementation of the Thailand-Japan Economic Partnership in September should encourage fishery exports to grow by 5 per cent to 365,000 tonnes this year.
Agriculture Minister Thira Sutabutra said yesterday that the free-trade deal would eliminate import duties on shrimp. Currently, shrimp, frozen shrimp and processed shrimp are subject to duties of 1 per cent, 4.8 per cent and 5.3 per cent respectively.The fishery sector's output increased 2.01 per cent to Bt29.38 billion in the first quarter year on year. Exports increased slightly to 447,797 tonnes worth Bt47.40 billion. Shrimp and shrimp products accounted for exports worth Bt16.44 billion and volume of 68,613 tonnes. Frozen shrimp accounted for 37,748 tonnes and the rest was processed shrimp. The ministry forecast a bright future for fishery exports. Only exports of fish and fish products are expected to drop. Canned tuna and packaged tuna exports fell to 115,462 tonnes in the first quarter from 120,292 tonnes in the same period last year. The main cause was a shortage of tuna.
|
