World Major Exporters

Thailand is the world's largest exporter of shrimp. In 2001, Thailand's exports of frozen shrimp totaled 134,910 tons, worth 53.2 billion baht, down 0.9 percent in terms of quantity and down 9.8 percent in terms of value when compared with the previous year.

Apart from frozen shrimp, exports of prepared and preserved shrimp are also becoming significance during the past years. Thailand's exports of prepared and preserved shrimp in 2001 stood at 110,080 tons, worth 43.6 billion baht, up 6.8 percent in terms of quantity, but down 7.8 percent in terms of value when compared with 2001.

Other world major exporters include India, Ecuador, Vietnam, China and Indonesia.

Shrimp is considered significant to Thai economy since they comprise to over a quarter of total food exports. The US is the most important importer of Thai shrimp, amounting to 49.7 percent of Thailand's total exports in 2001. Japan amounts to 18.4 percent and Singapore 4.9 percent of total exports.