Thai processed chicken exports still promising - THAILAND - Thailand's Commerce Ministry has estimated the country's export of processed chickens would continue to increase in major destinations this year as factories in the country were found to meet international standards.

Thai Deputy Government Spokesman Yuranant Pamornmontri said the cabinet acknowledged the ministry's report on the export of frozen and processed chickens in the first 11 months of last year.

According to the report, the chicken export in that period totaled 182,463 tons in volume or 29.47 billion baht in value, down 44% from the corresponding period of the previous year.

The export of frozen chickens totaled 26,480 tons or 1.74 billion baht, down 92%, while that of processed chickens increased 35% or 155,894 tons in volume and 31% or 1.84 billion baht in value.

The ban on the frozen chicken export remains imposed by three major destinations including Japan, European Union, and South Korea, which nevertheless allow processed chickens.

Exports of processed chicken to Japan had risen 65% or 74,912 tons in volume and 65% or 9.21 billion baht in value, to European Union 13% or 69.73 tons and 9% or 8.29 billion baht, and to South Korea 348% or 5,032 tons and 217% or 466 million baht.

The growth in processed chicken exports is likely to continue, particularly in South Korea, since officials had been sent to inspect and certify the quality of 22 factories in Thailand since December last year.

It is expected almost all factories would be granted the certification for the export to the country.

As well, the export to EU and Japan is likely to increase because officials would be sent to work together with local livestock officials to inspect and certify factories in Thailand during January-February.

Source: eFeedLink - 27th January 2005