Thailand gears up to host TARS 2025 to advance shrimp aquaculture

THAILAND – The 14th Aquaculture Roundtable Series® (TARS) 2025 is set to be a pivotal event for shrimp aquaculture, bringing together industry stakeholders to tackle the sector’s most pressing challenges. 

This year’s conference, which will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from August 20 to 21, 2025, will focus on “Future Proofing: Precision Shrimp Aquaculture and the New Deal.”

Shrimp aquaculture has reached a critical juncture as low prices caused by oversupply squeeze profit margins, and persistent disease outbreaks continue to reduce survival rates and productivity. 

Rising production costs further threaten sustainability, and the traditional Asian farming model is no longer viable. 

Zuridah Merican, editor of Aqua Culture Asia Pacific and Chair of TARS 2025, emphasised the importance of this year’s event, stating that it will be the most crucial conference in recent history for shrimp aquaculture in Asia. 

She pointed out that supply has exceeded demand, prices have fallen below the breakeven point in many countries, and production costs continue to rise. Without effective solutions, the entire shrimp value chain, from farmers to processors and suppliers, will suffer.

TARS 2025 aims to shift the industry toward precision farming, which enhances productivity and profitability through advanced technology and improved management practices. 

Critical themes to future-proof shrimp aquaculture 

The event will explore critical themes, including the state of supply and demand, identifying inefficiencies in precision farming, developing a sustainable shrimp farming model, mitigating diseases to improve survival rates, adopting new technologies and innovations, strengthening market positioning through branding and sustainability, and engaging the next generation to future-proof the industry.

The conference is expected to foster dialogue and collaboration through its signature Interactive Roundtable Breakout Sessions, where participants will engage in focused discussions on key industry topics. 

These sessions will be divided into three tracks: Genetics, Hatchery & Farming (GHF); Nutrition, Feeds & Feeding (NFF); and Processing, Marketing & Branding (PMB). 

Merican emphasised the value of this format, noting that TARS has always been about bringing stakeholders together to find solutions. 

The interactive structure ensures that every voice is heard and contributes to the industry’s progress.

Recognising the importance of future leaders, TARS 2025 will actively involve young professionals, shrimp farmers, and startups. 

Merican pointed out that while the startup sector has primarily focused on real-time monitoring, alternative feed ingredients, and feeding technology, there is a pressing need for fresh thinking in farming models. 

She highlighted that challenges create opportunities and encouraged startups to be part of this transformation.

With participation limited to 250 attendees to ensure meaningful engagement, TARS 2025 will serve as an essential networking platform for CEOs, farm and hatchery managers, technologists, nutritionists, researchers, investors, and other key players in the shrimp aquaculture sector. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.