May 12, 2008

Thai company to boost traditional chicken exports with Q-Mark label
 

Tanaosree Thai Chicken Co, Thailand's largest traditional chicken producer, believes the Q-Mark label could be a big step forward to push Thai native fowl into foreign markets, according to a report by the Bangkok Post.

Thailand's Livestock Development Department is awarding the label to certify the production process of the company's plant in Nakhon Pathom. The certification is a show of confidence in the safety and quality of food and agricultural commodities for consumers.

The plant has a processing capacity of 1,000 chicks per hour or 3,000 tonnes of meat per year, all of which are supplied to 400 local customers.

Traditional chicken has become more popular among consumers who prefer thin-skinned and tender meat that has less fat and cholesterol compared to broilers, said Juntanoo.

Domestic fowl are used in many popular dishes but it also costs two or three times more than mass-produced poultry.

Teerawat Pichakronakasit, assistant managing director of Food Village Co., the marketing arm of the company, said the chicken has strong potential in foreign markets especially Japan, which plans to send an inspection team to the plant in the second half of the year.

Chicken sales account for about 40 percent of the company's revenue, which is forecast at THB 280 million (US$8.7 million).

The company is also expecting to obtain an export certificate from the department in midyear on top of a Halal certificate, which would allow the company to market its products in Muslim countries, said Juntanoo.