Thai Chicken Exporters Enjoy Mad Cow Rally

Thai chicken exporters enjoy mad cow disease rally

BANGKOK, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Thai chicken producers are enjoying higher prices, as demand soars in the wake of the U.S. beef crisis, traders said on Tuesday.

Thai frozen chicken meat was offered on Tuesday at $1,900-2,000/tonne, up from $1,700 in the weeks before the United States reported its first case of mad cow disease.

Most Asian countries, including Thailand, quickly banned U.S. beef imports last week and Thai chicken exporters have seen a surge in demand, particularly from Japan.

"The chicken exports are doing well. We have received more orders from Japan. Some of those are supermarket operators," said an official at one chicken exporting firm.

"The price is expected to rise further in coming days due to strong demand from exporters. The feed price is also high," said chicken raiser Veerapong Panjawattanakul.

Thailand's poultry industry is expected to produce one billion chickens this year. ($1=39.56 Baht)

-- Reuters 2003-12-30