Managing changes and risk in seafood supply chain: A case study from Thailand

Abstract

Thailand was one of the largest seafood producers and exporters in the world; however, Thailand lost its number one position due to many drastic changes (e.g., EMS in shrimp, new laws and regulations, depletion of natural resources) in the past few decades. These changes have impacted the Supply Chain of Thai Seafood industry. Our research on Thailand's Seafood industry using several government's statistics and records, retrospective analysis of critical events and primary in-depth interviews with veterans in the industry showed 1) the critical changes in Thai seafood's supply chain during the last 30 years such as some internal and external issues affect the industries, 2) the current changes (updated new food standards, regulation and laws impacting both exports and imports) impacting every sectors of the supply chain (e.g., small and medium processors that were forced out of business) and 3) prediction on how the seafood supply chain in 2020s (e.g., role disruption and expected changes of farmers, processors and brokers).