Thailand to export pork to Russia first time

BANGKOK, October 18 (TNA) - Thailand will export pork to Russia for the first time, as it is projected that demand for Thai pork in Russia should be at 50,000 tonnes annually. Thai Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Chavalit Chukajorn told journalists that Moscow has agreed to import more livestock products and pork from Thailand. Chavalit said it is also projected that exports of Thai fishery products to Russia should exceed 10 billion baht annually. Exports of Thai pork to Russia are now possible after the two countries recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), under which Thailand can also export pork to Belarus and Kazakhstan later. Russia is estimated to demand Thai pigs at 10 million yearly and Thailand is ready to export pork inside containers to Russia within the next three-four months. In another development, Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya will hold a meeting next Monday on how to further boost Thai exports in 2015, with Thai commercial attaches and representatives from the private sector to attend the brainstorming session. General Chatchai said he wants to see Thai export growth next year to exceed the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4-5 per cent, projected by several agencies. (TNA)