March 17, 2011

Japan quake's impact seen minimal on Thai farm exports

Some Thai agricultural product exports will face a minor setback from Japan's devastating disaster last Friday (Mar 11), but likely only short term, stated Thai Agricultural and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut.

When acknowledging the setback on Thai exports in the wake of the March 12 destructive earthquake and tsunami in Japan's northeastern region, where major trade ports are located, Theera said that he expects Japans overall imports to drop for some time, resulting in lower demand for Thai rubber with reduced prices in particular.

Theera said a rise in Thai livestock exports has been anticipated, particularly those of frozen chickens.

The Thai agriculture and cooperatives minister assured that his team will continue to monitor developments in Japan closely, insisting that the fall in Thai exports to Japan should be only for a short period.