December 18, 2003

 

 

Thailand Targets 2004 Livestock Exports At THB100 Billion, Up 67% On Year

 

Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has set a target for the value of livestock exports in 2004 at 100 billion baht ($1=THB39.671), a jump of around 67% from this year's expected export value, Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob told a meeting Thursday.

 

"We are trying to accomplish this target in 2004," Newin said.

 

He said chicken will be the main focus under the plan as the government hopes to raise the value of chicken exports to THB60 billion next year from around THB40 billion in previous years.

 

Swine exports are also expected to play a greater role in helping boost livestock exports in the coming year, Newin said.

 

"Pork exports will increase, both raw and cooked...raw pork will be exported for the first time (in several years) in 2004," Newin said.

 

Likely growth in exports of duck and dairy cows will also help strengthen Thailand's livestock exports, Newin said.

 

Yukol Limlamthong, director general of the Department of Livestock, said several swine importing countries have been seeking Thai swine while buyers in Asian countries are likely to import more duck from Thailand. Hong Kong is a major buyer of Thai swine.

 

Newin also confirmed that Thailand isn't facing bird flu disease although a lot of chicken on some farms in Thailand have died recently.

 

"Thailand is free from bird flu disease. The reason for the death of those chicken is cholera and change of climate (from rainy season to winter), Newin said.

 

Anan Sirimongkolkasem, president of the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association, said chicken exports shouldn't be hurt by the deaths as importers in major markets such as Japan and the European Union already know the true causes of death.

 

"We expect chicken exports in 2004 won't be lower than 600,000 tons," Anan said.

 

Thailand's chicken exports in 2003 will likely reach 500,000 tons, valued at THB52 billion, according to an forecast in August from the Thai Broiler Processing Association.