New Zealand for the first time has approved the import of cooked duck meat from Thailand, with the first shipments expected to start this month.
The Livestock Development Department first approached New Zealand for permission for he imports in 2015, said director-general Apai Suttisunk. Its contact with New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries was finally successful late last month.
"New Zealand's permission for Thai exports without inspecting production processes shows confidence in the work of the Livestock Development Department and our effective systems to prevent and control poultry diseases throughout the production process and ensure traceability," he said.
Before receiving permission, he said, the department sent information and health certificate drafts to New Zealand for consideration.
Sorawit Thaneto, deputy director-general of the department, said the New Zealand ministry informed the department on Feb 24 that imports of cooked duck from the agribusiness giant Charoen Pokphan Foods Plc had been approved. He expects the first shipments to be delivered within this month.
Other processors interested in exporting cooked duck to New Zealand can now send information on their production processes to the department, which would then seek registration with New Zealand authorities.
Last year Thailand exported cooked duck meat worth 1.73 billion baht. Of the total, 94% worth 1.63 billion baht went to the European Union and the rest went to Japan.
The department expects approval from New Zealand to raise the export value by 5-10% this year.