Thai shrimp production is expected to miss its target by 50,000 tonnes this year after heavy rains and flooding in many areas disrupted the sector, notably in the South, which accounts for 56% of production.
According to Somsak Paneetatyasai, president of the Thai Shrimp Association, the country's shrimp production is estimated at 300,000 tonnes this year, unchanged from last year's actual figure, with exports making up 200,000 tonnes, rising 4% from 2016.
Export value is estimated at 600 billion baht, which would be close to last year's performance.
"Thailand has succeeded in tackling early mortality syndrome in shrimp this year, after three years of efforts, and the situation seems to have returned to normal, but heavy rains and flooding in many areas in the South have reduced shrimp production that was earlier forecast to be 350,000 tonnes," Mr Somsak said.
Of total production, the southern provinces generate 56%, the eastern region contributes 29% and central Thailand adds 15%.
The association reported that Thai shrimp exports rose 4% year-on-year in the first 10 months to 167,418 tonnes, with export value up 3% year-on-year at 56.1 billion baht.
The export market that saw the most growth in the period was China, leaping 56.1% to 6,593 tonnes with a value of 2.06 billion baht, up 49.8%.
Thailand hopes to export more white and black tiger shrimp to China as consumers there shift to eating boiled shrimp instead of live shrimp.
Shrimp shipments to Japan in the period rose by 3.2% to 33,825 tonnes with a value of 12.4 billion baht, down 5.1%.
Exports to the US market, however, fell by 4.4% to 62,954 tonnes with a value of 23.5 billion baht, down 1.4%. European exports slid 10.6% to 6,663 tonnes with a value of 2.55 billion baht, down 8%.
The drop in European shipments was primarily due to a change in the generalised system of preferences for Thai shrimp.
Mr Somsak said Thai shrimp production is forecast to recover to strong growth of 10% to 333,000 tonnes in 2018, with export volume rising 10% accordingly.