Thailand To Promote New Fish Exports

[george]

Thailand to promote new fish exports

NAKHON PHANOM: -- Thailand plans to develop a new fish for export in an effort to fight poverty, according to local government authorities.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Thai agencies concerned and European fish importers in Thailand's northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom on Saturday to jointly to develop the “Pla Mong Fish” for export, as demand in the US and Europe is increasing.

The market for “Pla Mong Fish” is growing because of its delicious white flesh and the prospects for export to Russia and other countries in Asia in the near future, a senior Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry official told TNA.

At present Vietnam is the sole exporter of the fish and earns around 1.7 billion baht from its exports annually, said the official.

The fresh water fish is common in Southeast Asia and could be found in the Mekong River, she said.

“At present, Vietnam is facing problems with production quality. But the demand for the fish is huge and represents a good opportunity for Thailand to develop the breed for export. It could help compensate for the decline in the exports of chicken and shrimps,” she said.

Thailand’s breeding standards are higher and this should reassure importers, the official said.

“I trust that “Pla Mong Fish” will become a major fish export for Thailand, help fight poverty and increase the country’s exports,” she said.

Thailand should be able to breed 1.17 million “Pla Mong Fish” this year.

--TNA 2005-06-12