October 5, 2007

Thailand aims to triple egg production in five years

Launching a campaign to boost egg consumption, Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture said it hopes to triple the production of processed eggs in the country in 5 years.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Rungrueng Issararangkul Na Ayutthaya, said the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry will launch a campaign for Thai people to eat more chicken eggs.

At present, Thailand's per capita consumption is 160 eggs per year. The campaign aims to raise the figure to 200 within five years.

During the period, the ministry will more than triple the amount of processed chicken eggs from 3,000 tonnes per year to 10,000 tonnes per year.

Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is asking the Ministry of Commerce to raise the prices of chicken eggs as operating costs escalate, owing to higher feed prices.

He further added the committee is ready for the upcoming Chinese Vegetarian Festival as the prices of chicken eggs would likely fall further.

He said the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry is coordinating with the public and private sectors in promoting people to consume more chicken eggs.

In addition, his ministry will have a meeting with the Commerce Ministry, in a bid to raise egg prices so farmers can offset higher costs.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives said the meeting has assigned the Department of Livestock to study the details of the campaign as well as the solutions to solve chicken farmers' problems.