Thailand's rice, chicken exports to decline in 2009

BANGKOK, Nov 18 (TNA) - Thailand's exports of rice and chicken are
expected to be gloomy in 2009 due to the ongoing global economic slowdown
and uncompetitive prices of Thai rice, industrial experts said Tuesday.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, president of Thai Rice Exporters Association, said
rice export trends for next year are not promising because Thailand's
domestic rice prices had risen sharply in 2008 while a number of countries
had encouraged more rice farming for their own consumption, while rice
exporting countries also are growing more rice.

Taking these factors into consideration, the global rice trade in 2009 is
projected to decline to around 28-28.5 million tonnes from this year's 30
million tonnes and it will cause hardships for Thailand's rice exporters,
Mr. Chookiat said.

Local rice exporters have blamed the government's rice pledging programme
for distorting the rice market, leaving huge stockpiles in state hands
which has in turn led to a huge decline in orders from international
buyers in recent months.

Thailand's rice exports in 2009 are expected to retreat to about 8.5
million tonnes from this year's 10 million tonnes while export revenues
are also projected to fall. Exports of parboiled rice are expected to
remain good but not 'fragrant' rice due to its high price.

Regarding chicken exports, Dr. Anan Sirimongkolkasem, president of the
Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association, said exports in 2009 should
decline because key importers -- including the US, Europe and Japan -- are
suffering from economic slowdown.

Exports of cooked chicken are estimated at 350,000 tonnes and 10,000
tonnes of chicken meat in 2009 with combined value of Bt44 billion, down
about 5 per cent from this year, said Dr. Anan.

He said the poultry industry still lacks workers although the export
volume in 2009 is projected to fall. (TNA)