February 1, 2005

Thailand eyes chicken export market in Russia

Russia has sent a delegation of inspectors to view Thai chicken abattoirs and processing plants, raising hopes that Moscow could eventually introduce a quota for Thai chicken imports.

According to Mr. Rachane Potjanasuntorn, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, "This is the first step indicating Russian interest in Thai fresh and processed chicken".

"In the past, Russia has not imported Thai fresh or processed chicken, but demand for chicken among Russian consumers is extremely high", he noted.

The Russian team has asked to inspect the entire process of raising chickens from the farm to the processing plant, and will view 8-9 chicken factories before leaving Thailand on February 7. A second team would also be sent to review the safety of Thai chicken products.

Thailand, whose chicken industry has been devastated by the avian flu scare, hopes to win a quota of 5-10 of all Russian chicken consumption.

"This will be of huge benefit to Thai chicken products", said Mr. Rachen.