November 2, 2006

Thailand's processed poultry export to drop 6.7 percent for 2006

Thailand's export target of processed poultry for the year has fallen from 300,000 tonnes to 280,000 tonnes, a drop of 6.7 percent, Thailand's head of Producers of Export Poultry Association, Md. Anand Sirimongkholkasem said.

Of this, 40 percent, or 120,000 tonnes, goes to the EU. Anand said the EU has set limits for Thailand's poultry exporters to protect their own poultry raisers. However, he noted that growth rate in exports to the EU has been growing around 30 to 40 percent a year.

Next year, the targeted processed poultry export to the EU would be increased to 140,000 tonnes, while the total amount of poultry export is set at 300,000 tonnes.

He said the total export value is approximately 32 billion baht (US$873 million). However, the remaining 100,000 tonnes of poultry in the stock would be distributed in Thailand and would probably be sold at a loss.