March 20, 2022

Thailand's CP Foods to export processed chicken to Saudi Arabia this month

Thailand-based major meat processor CP foods is set to restart exports of its processed chicken to Saudi Arabia this month after both countries restored full diplomatic relations, Nikkei Asia reported.

11 chicken processing plants in Thailand have been approved for exports including five that are owned by CP Foods. The Thai Commerce Ministry said these plants have received halal certification from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

Poultry imports from Thailand were banned by Saudi Arabia in 2004 citing a bird flu outbreak in the Asian country.

Prasit Boondoungprasert, CEO of CP Foods, said chicken exports to Saudi Arabia will provide big opportunities to Thai exporters, and credited the Thai government for restoring diplomatic ties between both nations.

Saudi Arabia imports 590,000 tonnes of chicken annually.

CP Foods is a Bangkok-listed unit of leading Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group.

Thai media said Saudi Arabia buys 70% of its chicken from Brazil, with the remaining 30% imported from France and Ukraine.

-      Nikkei Asia