Thailand is expected to earn about Bt720 billion from food exports in 2009, down from the Bt760 billion received last year, according to Paiboon Ponsuwanna, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), on Thursday.
Mr. Paiboon, also president of the FTI’s Food Industry Club, said at a seminar that despite the global economic meltdown, demand for food and agricultural products still exists and Thailand is capable of exporting more food to countries which are reluctant to import food from China due to concerns over melamine-tainted food products.
China has encountered melamine and other toxic contamination in its food processing sector.
There is still an opportunity for Thailand to export more primary food products such as frozen shrimp and tuna fish to the United States as well as chicken and fruit to the European Union, he said.
But food exporters must bear in mind that their average profit will decline more than 15 per cent, depending on the costs of each food manufacturer, Mr. Paiboon said.
Thai food producers, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises must consider the supply side and have an ability to verify food standards in order to create consumer confidence as the world is gripped with ongoing economic meltdown, he said.
Other major factors that Thai food manufacturers must strictly follow are to maintain price competitiveness and food quality to not damage the environment, he added. (TNA)
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