March 15, 2022

Saudi Arabia lifts ban on Thai poultry meat imports

Saudi Arabia has lifted an 18-year ban on poultry meat imports from Thailand, effective March 13, 2022, Bangkok Post reported.

11 poultry plants from Thailand have been permitted to export chilled and frozen fresh chicken, following an inspection on these factories by Saudi authorities last year.

Jurin Laksanawisit, Thailand's Commerce Minister, said this good news for Thailand and the overall poultry industry.

He said the commercial ambassador in charge of the Saudi Arabia market and a charge d'affaires of the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry has discussed with senior executives of the Saudi Food & Drug Authority and agreed that Saudi Arabia would allow poultry imports from 11 factories in Thailand.

Saudi Arabia imports 590,000 tonnes of chicken annually, with 70% from Brazil and the remaining 30% imported from France and Ukraine.

Jurin said he aims to boost exports of other products to Saudi Arabia.

Thailand's exports of chilled, frozen and processed chicken reached 912,900 tonnes valued at THB 102.592 billion in 2021.

Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, the director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said in 2002, Thailand exported THB 56.9 million worth of chicken to Saudi Arabia and THB 4.8 million worth of chicken in 2003. Exports were halted after diplomatic ties were severed.

Phusit said it is too early to analyse the poultry export outlook in Saudi Arabia in 2022 because the department needs to consult with the Thai private sector and start promoting exports to minimise impact on local consumption and prices.

-      Bangkok Post