September 30, 2008

China's crisis shines positive light for Thailand's CPF

The tainted-milk crisis in China represents a potential windfall for Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), Thailand's biggest chicken exporter, as consumers will be seeking safer sources of food, according to CEO Adirek Sripratak.

He said lack of confidence in Chinese food products and tighter regulation of any food products imported from China would help many Thai producers, who could expect increasing purchase orders from Japan, US and Europe.

Mr Adirek said CPF had received recognition for its food safety, traceability and verification under a number of international standards, including GMP, HACCP, ISO 9002 and 14001, TIS18001, ISO17025, Halal and Animal Welfare.

He also noted that the business outlook was improving because prices of raw materials and meat products was cooling from their recent highs, while CPF was increasing output of processed food.

CPF will soon open the world's most modern farm and animal feed mill in Russia, one of the world's largest pork consumers and importers.