Native Thai chicken has potential for overseas market
// 19 May 2008
The "Q-Mark” label from the Livestock Development
Department granted to Thailand’s largest native-chicken processor, Tanaosree
Thai Chicken, may provide a major incentive for Thai native fowl to enter
overseas markets.
The Department awarded the logo to certify production processes of the
company's plant in Nakhon Pathom, officially opened on 10 May. The plant has the
capacity to process about 1,000 birds/ hour or 3,000 tonnes of meat annually,
all supplied to local retailers, schools, hospitals and popular roasted-chicken
restaurant chains.
Announcing the award at a press conference, CEO Juntanoo Satyawhadana said
"Ours is the first processing plant for traditional chicken, known locally as
kai baan, which has a few farms that raise traditional chicken commercially." He
added that the company expects to win an export certificate from the Department
by the middle of this year, in addition to a Halal certificate to be able to
market its products in Muslim countries.
"Traditional chicken had become more popular among consumers who prefer
thin-skinned, tender meat that has less fat and cholesterol than commercial
broilers. Even CP, one of the country's leading broiler producers, has also
raised traditional chicken. Native fowl are used in many popular dishes…even
though it costs two or three times more than mass-produced poultry. Native
chicken also has strong potential overseas, especially Japan, which plans to
send a food inspection team to scrutinise the plant in the second half this
year," he said.
Teerawat Pichakronakasit, assistant managing director of Food
Village, the company's marketing arm said " Q-Mark would strengthen the brand
image of Tanaosree chicken, which is also known as 'herbal chicken', as the
birds are fed a special diet that includes local herbs considered to promote
good health, andrographis, kamin and phlai."



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