The Malaysian Department of Fisheries (DOF) announced that they need at least 30 days to examine documents obtained from Thai authorities and decide whether to lift the ban on the import of five shrimp species. Director-General Datuk Adnan Hussain stated that a technical team established to evaluate the information presented in the second stage of the process is conducting this work, and they expect the team to convene next week. It was expressed that this assessment process could take 30 days if the data submitted by Thailand is complete, and that a more comprehensive conclusion can be reached after this period. The Malaysian side decided to continue the suspension of import permits, which has been in effect since June 1, until the technical examination is completed. In this context, the aim is to ensure that shrimp entering Malaysia are free from diseases that could threaten local aquaculture and prohibited chemicals contrary to current regulations.
Developments regarding the issue were announced to the press at the opening of the 2026 MyAgropreneur and MyKomuniti Fisheries: East Region Carnival held in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. In his statement there, Datuk Adnan Hussain implied that the continuation of restrictions on Thailand's own shrimp exports indicates that a principle of reciprocity is observed in Malaysia's import restrictions. Since the export of shrimp produced in Malaysian farms to Thailand has not been possible since 2017 due to Thai authorities not granting permission. The Malaysian Department of Fisheries is strengthening the aquaculture health control system and compliance with biosecurity standards to facilitate the entry of domestic products into the Thai market. These measures are stipulated to guarantee that Malaysian shrimp meet the importer's requirements and are free from diseases and prohibited chemicals.
The origin of the commercial tension is based on an announcement made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) on May 16. The Ministry had made the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) mandatory for sea bass imports from Thailand, while deciding to temporarily suspend the import of five shrimp species starting June 1. This suspension process will remain valid until Thai authorities fully and officially respond to a questionnaire form prepared by Malaysia. Malaysian officials will meticulously examine the responses and documents submitted from Thailand through relevant technical teams. Only after this examination process is completed can a final decision be made regarding whether import permits will be granted again.
The five shrimp species detailed in the news are among the products considered at risk within the scope of Malaysia's strategy to protect the local aquaculture industry. In addition to the risk of disease transmission, the presence of prohibited chemical residues in the products constitutes the focal point of inspections. These strict inspections aim not only to ensure the consumer consumes safe food but also to maintain Malaysia's own biosecurity standards. Thailand, as part of this process, is trying to prepare and submit its official documents to eliminate the problems hindering its exports and meet Malaysia's requirements. This commercial dialogue between the two countries is conducted carefully due to both sides' policies to protect their own farms and markets.
The future of commercial relations depends on the outcome of the 30-day evaluation to be conducted by the technical team. If the documents submitted by Thailand are found to be insufficient or incomplete, the process is likely to be prolonged and the import ban to continue. The Malaysian Department of Fisheries plans to take steps without compromising health and safety standards in an environment where both countries have import restrictions against each other. The efforts of local farms to gain access to the Thai market for export also add an extra diplomatic and commercial dimension to the situation. It is understood from the meticulousness of the document review process that Malaysia focuses on raising mutual standards and ensuring security rather than applying a unilateral sanction.
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