August 11, 2020

Lower than expected exports for Thailand's chicken due to COVID-19

Thailand's chicken exports increased less than expected in the first half of 2020 due to impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association (TBPEA).

The country exported 470,000 tonnes of chicken during the January-June period, representing a year-on-year rise of 2%, with a export value of ฿54 billion (about US$1.73 billion), up ฿1 billion (US$32.1 million).

Local media recently cited TBPEA manager Kukrit Arepagorn as saying the pandemic has led to Thailand's two key markets, the European Union (EU) and Japan, reducing chicken imports.

Chicken exports to the EU fell by 10%. Thailand is expected to export 280,000 tonnes of chicken to the region this year, down from 330,000 tonnes in 2019, according to Arepagorn.

Meanwhile, chicken exports to Japan increased by 2% as the pandemic affected the country's tourism badly. The Tokyo Olympic Games had been postponed, thus hampering demand.

On the other hand, exports to China and Singapore had increased by 100,000 tonnes and 20,000 tonnes, respectively in the six-month period, Kukrit noted.

- VNA