December 4, 2007

Thailand's chicken exports soar by 20 percent

Thailand's exports of processed chicken increased by 20.4 percent to US$753.9 million from January to October this year.

However, the Export Promotion Department said the rate of chicken exports in the remainder of the year would decrease by 4.9 percent.

The overall figure should be around US$1.03 billion, a growth of 10 percent, the department reported.

Rachane Potjanasuntorn, director-general of the department, discussed that despite stringent import measures following bird flu outbreaks, the government would attempt to promote processed chicken to new markets next year --- particularly Muslim countries as many chicken plants are certified to produce halal foods.

Meanwhile, shrimp exports dropped by 2 percent to US$1.78 billion in the first 10 months of 2008. It is estimated to fall by another 3.19 percent in the remaining period. Overall, exports of shrimp are forecast to decrease by 2.2 percent to US$2.18 billion this year.

Shrimp exports to the US alone dropped 12.8 percent in the first 10 months due to a drop in demand, anti-dumping duties and continuous bongs.

The US currently takes 52 percent of Thailand's shrimp exports.

Canned and processed food exports will drop by 33.94 percent in the remaining months, from an increase of 16.9 per cent to US$1.8 billion in the first 10 months due to a shortage of tuna.

Poj Aramwattananont, president of the Thai Frozen Foods Association, said tuna is now very expensive because of climate-change problems. Tuna exporters also gained lower profits since exporters cannot increase prices above those quoted by foreign rivals.