Sustainable aquaculture in Thailand has been a global leader since the 1970s, thanks to its long coastline, abundant freshwater resources, and favorable climate for sustainable aquaculture. The sector contributes significantly to domestic food security, rural livelihoods, and seafood export earnings. But a combination of environmental pressures, social risks, and uneven compliance with sustainability standards continues to challenge the sector’s ability to grow responsibly and compete in increasingly demanding global markets. So, the sector must move towards certified supply chains to transform for the needs of the future.
1. Sustainable Aquaculture in Thailand
Key Species & Production in Thai Aquaculture
Thailand consistently ranks among the top 10 aquaculture-producing nations worldwide, with shrimp and tilapia as its main farmed species.
In 2021 alone, the country produced over 900,000 tonnes of aquaculture products. Shrimp accounted for more than 40% of export value. Major export destinations include the European Union, the United States, and Japan; where strict food safety, traceability systems, and labor standards apply.
Farming Systems
Species, geography, and market demands create a highly diverse range of aquaculture systems in Thailand.
Inland provinces commonly use freshwater systems—ponds and floating cages— to farm tilapia, catfish, and carp.
Along the coasts, brackish ponds dominate shrimp farming, using methods ranging from semi-intensive to highly-intensive, depending on farm scale and investment capacity.
In more rural areas, traditional rice–fish integrated systems offer a low-input, food-secure model.
Beyond differences in system approach, the sector also displays a wide diversity of farm sizes- from smallholder operations to large, vertically integrated companies.These farms display significant disparities in terms of access to technology, traceability systems, and environmental controls. Vertically integrated farms control multiple stages of production from hatchery to farming, processing, and even export—giving them greater efficiency and market leverage.
Sustainable & Social Challenges
Despite its long-standing expertise and export success, sustainable aquaculture in Thailand continues to face significant environmental and social issues.
Most visibly, decades of shrimp pond expansion in the coastal areas has led tothe loss of mangrove forests. Although mangrove replanting efforts exist, the ecological damage remains severe and long-term.
In addition to deforestation issues, a major challenge lies in the management of waste and effluents in high-density farming systems. As uneaten feed and organic matter accumulate, it degrades water quality and triggers eutrophication that threatens aquatic ecosystems. It is crucial to conduct aquaculture environmental risk assessment to address the risks.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)) now emerges as a major health concern, partly due to past overuse of antibiotics in shrimp hatcheries and grow-out ponds. This poses human health risks and jeopardizes opportunities in export markets that closely monitor drug residues .
Socially, persistent labor vulnerabilities stain the sector, especially among small-scale and informal producers. Many workers,particularly migrants,have limited access to formal contracts, few social protections, and indecent working conditions.
In response to this myriad of issues, the Thai Department of Fisheries (DOF) has launched initiatives such as ThaiGAP, the Code of Conduct (CoC) for responsible aquaculture, and voluntary programs for reforestation and certification. However, adoption of these standards remains uneven, especially among smallholders lacking the technical or financial capacity to comply.
2. On-Farm Practices & Biosecurity
The practices used on Thai aquaculture farms reflect wide diversity, from high-tech, certified export farms to informal, small-scale family operations. Parallel to this range of techniques comes an array of unique challenges and benefits, both localized on the farms and systematically-based.
Production Techniques
Aquaculture systems in Thailand sustain a variety of species across different environments. .
Shrimp farming typically relies on semi-intensive or intensive pond systems, which use paddle-wheel aerators, controlled feeding, and frequent water exchange to maintain optimal conditions. These systems are common in coastal areas and often geared toward export. These commonly coastal based farms gear production primarily towards export. Stocking densities can exceed 100 post-larvae per square meter. While this boosts output, it also increases stress on animals, vulnerability to disease, and environmental pressure—especially if water quality and waste are not properly managed.
In freshwater environments, floating cage systems are used in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, particularly for tilapia and Asian seabass. Inland provinces with limited land access now favor these space-efficient cages..
In traditional rural areas, rice–fish integrated farming remains a valuable practice. By combining aquaculture with rice cultivation, farmers diversify production, increase food security, while optimizing the use of land and water.
Across all systems, feed remains the most significant operating cost. Export-oriented farms generally use high-quality commercial pellets to optimize growth and feed conversion. In contrast, many smallholder operations still depend on farm-made or low-quality feed, which can limit productivity and increase environmental risks.
Biosecurity Measures
One of the most pressing challenges for shrimp and fish farmers is managing disease outbreaks.
In the past, major crises like Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) led many producers to rely heavily on antibiotics, often without proper monitoring. This approach raises serious concerns, especially as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) becomes a global health issue and international markets tighten restrictions on antibiotic use.
Larger and certified farms now shift toward safer alternatives such as probiotics, improved hygiene, and better water management;while many small and medium-sized producers still lack the resources or training to follow these standards. The result is a gap in biosecurity practices, where some farms are well-prepared and others remain highly vulnerable.
For exporters and buyers, this inconsistency means supply chain risks. For farmers, it means continued exposure to losses and market rejections.
Smallholder Barriers & Solutions
While certified and export-oriented farms in Thailand make steady progress toward international compliance, many smallholder producers remain outside aquaculture certification and audit systems. These small-scale farms face a number of structural barriers that limit their ability to meet evolving market and regulatory expectations.
Common challenges include:
- Lack of capital to invest in infrastructure such as water treatment, recordkeeping systems, or improved feed
- Limited understanding of certification standards, including ThaiGAP, ASC, or GLOBALG.A.P.
- Difficulties with language, literacy, and audit preparation, especially in remote or underserved areas
Despite these limitations, smallholder farms continue to play a vital role in domestic food security. They increasingly contribute to export value chains, either through intermediaries or contract farming models.
To support these producers, group certification schemes, cooperative-based training, and mobile traceability tools such as VerifiK8 (a monitoring tool for farm sustainability developed by Fairagora Asia) have been piloted and expanded. These approaches aim to lower the cost and complexity of compliance. However, scaling these efforts remains a long-term challenge, requiring ongoing investment, institutional support, and buyer engagement.
3. Carbon Footprint in Aquaculture
While sustainability discussions focus on water pollution, antibiotic use, and labor conditions , carbon emissions from Thai sustainable aquaculture remain widely overlooked. This happens despite the fact that export markets increasingly implement scope 3 emissions and ESG compliance standard requirements.
Aquaculture vs. Capture Fisheries
Research shows that aquaculture systems, especially intensive shrimp or salmon farms, can emit less CO₂ per kilogram of edible protein than wild fisheries using fuel-heavy trawlers. This gives aquaculture a potential climate advantage.
However, lower emissions do not automatically mean sustainability. Environmental impact depends heavily on feed use, water quality, and ecosystem management. Poorly managed farms cause serious pollution: uneaten feed, animal waste, and chemicals that degrade water quality and harm aquatic life.
In Thailand, the historical destruction of mangroves for shrimp ponds remains a visible issue, impacting biodiversity, coastal protection, and carbon storage. Key emission hotspots in aquaculture include:
- Feed production (fishmeal and soybean meal)
- Electricity use (aeration and pumping)
- Land conversion, especially past mangrove deforestation
Current Carbon Practices in Thailand
Carbon accounting is still at an early stage in Thai aquaculture:
No national requirement exists for farms to monitor or report emissions
- Commercial farms rarely use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Most sustainability certifications and buyer requirements do not systematically included carbon emissions
As a result, most Thai farms lack baseline data on their carbon footprint—despite growing international pressure to provide this information.
Emerging Tools and Case Studies
Some promising baseline observations and developments have begun to take shape:
- Field observations from Thai shrimp farms show electricity use (aeration, pumping) can account for ~50% of emissions. Feeding represents an additional ~30%— a percentage even higher when animal-based ingredients are used
- Farms with higher survival rates and efficient feed conversion ratios tend to have lower emissions per kilogram produced
- An FAO-supported review identified Thai shrimp as a critical case study for reducing emissions through better feed sourcing, energy inputs, and land-use management
- In 2024, Thai Union launched a pilot project to decarbonize its shrimp supply chain with energy-efficient systems, alternative feeds, and carbon tracking software
- Some producers are pursuing carbon finance through mangrove restoration and low-emission aquafeed trials
Why This Matters?
European and North American retailers increasingly demand verified carbon metrics, especially as Scope 3 disclosure becomes mandatory under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
Farms able to document their emissions, even at a basic level, are more likely to retain long-term market access. Conversely without transparency, producers risk replacement by suppliers who meet sustainability and emissions standards.
By acting early, Thailand’s aquaculture sector could position itself as a low-emission protein source, attract climate-conscious buyers, and access funding linked to GHG monitoring.
4. Top Certifications & Market Demands
As global sustainability standards tighten, certification has become a key differentiator for Thai aquaculture producers. Certification grants market access and demonstrates accountability in environmental, social, and regulatory areas.
Rather than listing every scheme, here are the three most strategic certifications for sustainable aquaculture in Thailand:
Key Certifications
ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council)
- Recognized globally as an environmental and social benchmark, especially in Europe
- Covers habitat protection, efficient feed use, water discharge standards, responsible antibiotic use, and labor rights
- Often required by European retailers for shrimp, tilapia, and seabass products
ThaiGAP / Code of Conduct (CoC)
- Thailand’s official standard, administered by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) based on ASEAN GAP guidelines.
- Emphasizes food safety, hygiene, and traceability systems (/services/supply-chain-traceability/)
- Used domestically and for export compliance, though not always recognized as equivalent to private EU standards
- Widely accepted baseline standard for EU supermarkets
- Covers food safety, traceability, environmental management, and worker welfare
- Often preferred by European buyers sourcing aquaculture products
What European Buyers Demand?
Importers from the EU, including retailers and food service firms, now expect more than certification logos. They require:
- Traceability from hatchery to harvest, ideally with digital records
- Proof of responsible antibiotic use, showing withdrawal periods and health records
- Labor standards aligned with ILO core conventions, including a social risk assessment
- Climate and environmental disclosures as part of Scope 3 reporting under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
- Alignment with the EU Deforestation Regulation for feed ingredients such as soy and fishmeal
We must reinforce aquaculture certification standards with data-backed transparency and documented practices to sustain market access and brand trust.
Bridging the Gap for Thai Farms
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but Thai producers can take a strategic approach to meet evolving market demands:
- Choose the right certification based on target market and farm capabilities
- Digitize farm records covering feed use, animal health, inputs, and labor
- Use group certification models to reduce costs and provide peer support
- Prepare documentation in advance, focusing on feed conversion, water quality, AMR protocols, and labor compliance
- Track carbon footprint alongside other ESG metrics to stay ahead of Scope 3 disclosure requirements, including GHG monitoring
- Partner with experienced consulting companies to support farmers in data collection, analysis, and carbon footprint calculations. Organizations like Fairagora Asia (FAA) provide hands-on expertise in aquaculture sustainability, social compliance, and environmental reporting, helping farms align with international buyers’ expectations.
For many European buyers, data-ready farms — even before full certification- provide a more attractive option than sourcing from uncertified suppliers with limited visibility.
Thailand’s aquaculture sector is one of the most productive and export-driven in the world. With its diverse farming systems, experienced producers, and strong government backing, it plays a central role in the global seafood supply chain.
But as markets evolve, so do expectations.
Today’s buyers, especially in Europe, no longer accept baseless claims of sustainability. They demand proof: documented practices, transparent supply chains, certified standards, and carbon and ESG disclosures.In this new context, compliance becomes more than a box to tick; it becomes a strategic asset.
Thailand has already taken steps in this direction. National standards like ThaiGAP and early carbon assessments pave the way. However, challenges remain, particularly for smallholder farmers who need targeted support to meet international benchmarks.
For European companies and global partners, Thai producers offer viable and promising partnerships. Success will require collaboration grounded in data, verification, and mutual understanding.
Sustainable aquaculture in Thailand is no longer a marketing trend. It is the baseline for trust, resilience, and long-term market access.
