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Aquaculture & Food ExportBronze report
Published April 2026Insight Research8 min read2026 Edition9 sources, 9 primary-gradeStandard source depth

Thai Shrimp Aquaculture: CPF, Thai Union, and the Vannamei Export Engine

Thailand is a top-3 global shrimp exporter β€” ~USD 1.5-2B annual export FY2024 (down from FY2010s peak ~USD 3-4B post-EMS disease shock). Vannamei whiteleg shrimp ~95% production. CPF (Charoen Pokphand Foods) and Thai Union Group (TU) tier-1 vertically-integrated. Southern coastal cluster (Surat Thani, Songkhla, Trang, Chumphon) production concentration. EU IUU yellow-card 2015-2019 forced traceability reform.

Key takeaways

  1. 1

    Thailand top-3 global shrimp exporter; ~ annual FY2024.

  2. 2

    Vannamei whiteleg shrimp ~ production.

  3. 3

    Surat Thani, Songkhla, Trang, Chumphon southern cluster ~ production.

  4. 4

    CPF and Thai Union tier-1 vertically-integrated shrimp processors.

  5. 5

    FY2010s peak ~; post-2012 EMS disease shock reduced output.

  6. 6

    EU IUU yellow-card 2015-2019 forced traceability reform; cleared 2019.

Questions this report answers

How big is Thai shrimp? Per Customs / DITP: ~ annual shrimp export FY2024 (down from FY2010s peak ~ post-2012 EMS Early Mortality Syndrome shock). Vannamei whiteleg shrimp ~ production (industry pivoted from native black tiger shrimp 2000s-2010s). Surat Thani, Songkhla, Trang, Chumphon southern cluster ~ production.[]

Who's the tier-1 vertical integration? Per CPF and Thai Union SET disclosures: CPF Charoen Pokphand Foods (FY2024 revenue +, multi-segment chicken, pork, aquaculture) tier-1 shrimp processor, feed-mill. Thai Union Group (FY2024 revenue , world's largest canned-tuna) tier-1 shrimp processor. Tier-2: Surapon Foods, Pakfood, Thai Royal Frozen Food.[, ]

What's the watchpoint structure? Per EU Commission and Bangkok Post: EU IUU yellow-card 2015-2019 forced traceability reform; cleared 2019. Watchpoints: disease management (EMS, AHPND, white-spot), feed-cost cyclicality, EU CSDDD 2027 onward, US tariff 2025-2026, China-shrimp-import quotas. Strategic moat: vertical integration, scale, traceability post-IUU compliance.[]

Public-record references
Data as of: 2025-2030 horizon

Executive summary

Thailand top-3 global shrimp exporter; ~ annual FY2024 (down from FY2010s peak ~ post-EMS).[]

Vannamei ~ production. Surat Thani, Songkhla, Trang, Chumphon southern cluster ~ production. CPF and Thai Union tier-1 vertical-integrated.[, ]

EU IUU yellow-card 2015-2019 forced traceability reform; cleared 2019. Watchpoints: disease, feed-cost, EU CSDDD 2027, US tariff, China quotas.[]

Public-record references
Data as of: 2025-2030 horizon

Thai shrimp aquaculture structure

Annual export

Notes

FY2024; down from FY2010s ~USD 3-4B.

Vannamei share

Value

~95%

Notes

Whiteleg shrimp; pivoted from black tiger 2000s-2010s.

Southern cluster

Value

~70% production

Notes

Surat Thani, Songkhla, Trang, Chumphon.

CPF revenue

Value

~ $17.4B (multi-segment)

Notes

Vertical-integrated chicken, pork, aquaculture.

Thai Union revenue

Value

~ $4.06-150B

Notes

World's #1 canned-tuna; tier-1 shrimp.

EU IUU clearance

Value

2019

Notes

Post-2015 yellow-card traceability reform.

Public-record references
Data as of: 2024-2026

Analyst framing

Why this report matters

Thailand top-3 global shrimp exporter; ~USD 1.5-2B annual FY2024. Vannamei ~95%. Southern cluster ~70%. CPF and Thai Union tier-1 vertical-integrated. EU IUU cleared 2019. Watchpoints: disease, feed-cost, US 19% tariff, EU CSDDD 2027.

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Thai Shrimp Aquaculture: CPF, Thai Union, and the Vannamei Export Engine Β· Insight