October 19, 2010

Thai egg industry in need of reform

Thailand's egg industry needs to develop its own layer parent stock and reduce dependence on bird imports in order to advance the sector, according to the Thai Committee for the Development of Layer Chicken and Products and the Egg Board.

Mongkol Pipatsattayanuwong, president of the Association of Hen Egg Farmers, Traders and Exporters, said that although the necessary investment for the reforms were feasible, they would still be considered costly. This is to ensure that locally developed parent stock will be able to produce eggs competitively.

"Current production in Thailand is not competitive with an average of 290 eggs from each hen, as compared to the 320-330 eggs from hens in the more developed countries," Pipatsattayanuwong said.
 

Developing a local breed is a long-term plan and the research team is encouraging the government to make the issue a national agenda, he said.