BANGKOK, Feb 5 — The Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association predicts that the export of Thai chicken meat should increase by 6-7 per cent this year compared with last year, with its value rising 5 per cent.
Association manager Kukrit Arepagorn said export volume should reach 600,000 tons this year, rising 6-7 per cent from 570,000 tons last year, with export value reach Bt81-82 billion, an increase of 5 per cent.
He expects South Korea will accept Thai chicken meat by mid-year and that will further raise the export volume. Thailand exported 40,000 tons of chicken to South Korea and at present the export volume is capped at 15,000 tons annually as the market accepts only cooked chicken.
Mr Kukrit said Thai manufacturers were complying with international standard that governed all production processes from farms to consumers and the European Union and Japan that were major markets sending experts to check production safety in Thailand every 1-2 years.
“Thai operators adhere to production regulations of the EU and Japan as well as international standards that ensure production and processing are free of hazardous substances and contamination,” Mr Kukrit said.
Sumate Supchukul, president of the Thai Poultry Veterinary Association, said Thailand was the fourth biggest chicken meat exporter, exporting more than 500,000 tons of chicken meat and related products annually. About 80-90 per cent of the export goes to the EU and Japan, he said. (MCOT online news)
