TALK ABOUT TIGER PRAWNS IN MALAYSIA

TIGER PRAWNS (Penaeus monodon) in Malaysia are one of the most premium, highly valued crustaceans recognized by their distinct dark stripes, firm texture, and sweet flavor. They are sourced through local coastal aquaculture and wild catches, with prices generally ranging from RM45 to over RM110 per kilogram depending on size and grade also distance from operational ponds. From statistic stated in which it accounts for roughly 10% of the nation's total farmed shrimp aquaculture, while white-leg shrimp makes up the majority. Total overall Malaysian aquaculture production ranges between 40,000 and 50,000 metric tons of shrimp yearly and it was supported by major commercial operators across Selangor, Perak, Pahang, Kedah and Sabah. In the market the price determined by sizes and costs of production in which the smaller grades (26–30 pieces/kg) start around from RM45-RM60/kg, while extra-large wild or jumbo tiger prawn sizes (4 -10 pieces/kg) the prices range from RM90 to RM180/kg. In Malaysia the authorities enforce strict trans-border controls, such as the recent July 2026 seizure at Rantau Panjang intercepting smuggled Thai tiger prawns under a temporary import restriction. Riger prawns in Malaysia key preparations include Asam Pedas/Asam Nyonya, charcoal grilling, and rich stir-fries. Among traditional and modern cooking styles include the Udang Bakar (Grilled) and it often charred over hot coals with a simple salt-and-turmeric rub or coated in a tangy Nyonya tamarind (asam) paste. Another popular menu is The Asam Pedas or Sambal Tumis where it was cooked in a spicy, sour gravy made from tamarind, chili, and local aromatics like ginger flower and laksa leaf. For me the best menu is Gula Melaka and Sweet-and-Sour Glazes ehere it was a pan-fried and tossed in palm sugar, soy sauces, or ketchup-based reductions (like Xiao Ha Ha styles) paired with fried mantou. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I write about the tiger prawn story in Malaysia for readings.

 

Malaysia’s giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) production is supported by local aquaculture capacity and recent national trade controls. The Malaysia Fisheries Department confirmed that domestic shrimp supply remains sufficient following a temporary import restriction on specific shrimp species. It was reports that the industry and trade updates in Malaysia include th Import Ban by government asa a temporary restriction on five shrimp species including the giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) and Whiteleg shrimp that was enforced by Malaysia starting June 1, 2026, to block potential diseases and protect local biosecurity. Reported that t he local farmers and their associations are ramping up production capacity to comfortably satisfy domestic and export requirements. For the market share stated that farmed whiteleg shrimp makes up the large majority of Malaysian cultured shrimp, while giant tiger prawns comprise a smaller core percentage of specialized local aquaculture production. Local media report from Marang, Terengganu in which Malaysia's shrimp supply is guaranteed to be sufficient even after the country imposed a temporary ban on five shrimp species from Thailand starting June 1, 2026. Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said shrimp associations and local farmers have drawn up plans to raise production levels to cater for domestic consumption and overseas markets. Malaysian shrimp are also exported to countries including the Gulf states, South Korea, the European Union and Australia. Our supply remains sufficient, and we have received feedback from farmers and associations that they support this temporary restriction and are now planning to increase production capacity to meet domestic and export demand. He said Malaysia records annual shrimp imports of about 11,000 metric tonnes from Thailand and exports roughly 3,000 metric tonnes in return. The temporary import ban would protect the domestic industry from an oversupply of imported products and tighten biosecurity controls to ensure the fisheries sector remains free from disease and illegal chemicals. Reported that on May 16, 2026 Malaysia strengthened import controls on Thai fishery products by enforcing a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) requirement for siakap (seabass) and imposing a temporary ban on five shrimp species, namely Penaeus esculentes (brown tiger prawn), Fenneropenaeus merguiensis (banana prawn), Penaeus vannamei (whiteleg shrimp), Penaeus monodon (giant tiger prawn) and Penaeus stylirostris (blue shrimp).

The Malay Mail portal reported that 'Malaysia’s shrimp supply stable as industry backs temporary Thai import ban' in which Malaysia’s shrimp supply is guaranteed to be sufficient even after the country imposed a temporary ban on five shrimp species from Thailand.  Department of Fisheries stated that shrimp associations and local farmers have drawn up plans to raise production levels to cater for domestic consumption and overseas markets. Malaysian shrimps are also exported to countries including the Gulf states, South Korea, the European Union and Australia. Our supply remains sufficient, and we have received feedback from farmers and associations that they support this temporary restriction and are now planning to increase production capacity to meet domestic and export demand. Malaysia records annual shrimp imports of about 11,000 metric tonnes from Thailand and exports roughly 3,000 metric tonnes in return. the temporary import ban would protect the domestic industry from an oversupply of imported products and tighten biosecurity controls to ensure the fisheries sector remains free from disease and illegal chemicals. On May 16, 2026 Malaysia strengthened import controls on Thai fishery products by enforcing a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) requirement for siakap (seabass) and imposing a temporary ban on five shrimp species, namely Penaeus esculentes (brown tiger prawn), Fenneropenaeus merguiensis (banana prawn), Penaeus vannamei (whiteleg shrimp), Penaeus monodon (giant tiger prawn) and Penaeus stylirostris (blue shrimp). Thailand has reportedly indicated it could escalate the matter to the World Trade Organisation and Asean if talks fail to resolve Malaysia’s temporary restriction on imports of the shrimp species. Thanks...

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist,

Precint 11, Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(August 2026).