A recent decision by the United States to lower its anti-dumping duty on Thai shrimp is expected to lead to improved market access.

The Foreign Trade Department yesterday reported the US had finally agreed to abide by a World Trade Organisation (WTO) settlement-dispute ruling that it change the unfair rate calculation for its anti-dumping duty on Thai shrimp exports.

"Two Thai shrimp exporters will not face anti-dumping duties, while others will enjoy lower anti-dumping tariff rates," said director-general Apiradi Tantraporn.

The anti-dumping duty was lowered from 5.95 per cent to 5.34 per cent on January 16.

The US is the main export destination for Thai shrimp, accounting for just over half of the total export value.

Thai shrimp exports to the US increased by 1.52 per cent to Bt43.17 billion last year.

The value of all Thai shrimp exports grew 10.6 per cent to US$2.38 billion (Bt85 billion).

However, Apiradi warned Thai exporters to be careful about exporting to the US, saying they could face more barriers if export volume were to increase by much.

Thai Frozen Foods Association president Poj Aramwattananont said shrimp exporters felt relieved about the lower anti-dumping duty, which would ensure continued growth to the US market.

However, the US has yet to follow another WTO ruling against it regarding the collection of "continuous bonds" against Thai shrimp exports.

The US is implementing double trade-protection measures: a continuous bond with a 100-per-cent bank guarantee and an anti-dumping duty.

The US must stop imposing the bonds on Thai imports in April, he said, adding that it was supposed to return about Bt12 billion in guarantees to Thai exporters, which would help them with their liquidity problems during the financial crisis.