BANGKOK, Dec 6 (TNA) – Thailand's largest food producer, Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) exported the first 64 tonnes of cooked chicken worth Bt10 million to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after it was certified with the Thai Halal brand in June.

Agriculture and Co-operatives Minister Thira Sutabutr, who presided over the launching of cooked chicken containers on Thursday said the certification helps boost export of Thai chicken to the market of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and the Sultanate of Oman.

There are more than 1.8 billion Muslims around the world and the halal food market is valued at about US$0.5 million-2 million per year, but Thailand's market share of exported chicken was only 0.01 per cent, he said.

The municipal council of the UAE approved the Thai Halal brand, 24 chicken slaughterhouses, and 36 chicken processing factories after its senior officials visited   Thailand to inspect halal food production, according to Dr. Anan Sirimongkolkasem, chairman of the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association.

CPF is the first Thai firm to export cooked chicken to the GCC countries after the UAE licensed Thailand to export chicken to its markets in September.

Thai chicken exports are expected to reach 320,000 tonnes this year and will grow by 5-10 per cent in 2008, according to Adirek Sripitak, president and chief executive officer.