Thai Union Group, the world’s leading seafood producer, has secured a landmark US$ 150 million Blue Loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) – a first-of-its-kind financing in Thailand’s seafood industry.
The loan sets a new standard for sustainable finance in aquaculture and supports Thai Union’s SeaChange 2030 strategy toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“Sustainability sits at the heart of our business, and this Blue Loan represents an important step in our journey,” said Thiraphong Chansiri, chief executive of Thai Union Group. “We hope this model will inspire other seafood companies to follow.”
The funding includes an ADB A-Loan and a syndicated B-Loan, co-financed by leading global banks including Bank of China (Hong Kong), HSBC, MUFG, OCBC, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and United Overseas Bank.
Proceeds will be used to expand the company’s sustainable shrimp procurement in Thailand, sourcing from farms certified under standards like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, Best Aquaculture Practices or engaged in credible improvement projects.
Anouj Mehta, ADB’s Thailand country director, emphasised the deal’s impact. “This marks ADB’s first blue loan in the aquaculture sector in Thailand. It provides a model to address the sector’s climate and environmental challenges while boosting food security,” he said.
The loan is issued under Thai Union’s Blue and Green Finance Framework, the first in Thailand aligned with the country’s draft Taxonomy (Phase 2). The framework meets global standards, ensuring transparent use of funds and impact reporting, with verification by DNV.
The initiative also supports Thailand’s national sustainability goals and ADB’s Strategy 2030.
