DITP goes extra miles to support Thai food exporters
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) launched “Thailand Deliver with Safety” campaign to boost confidence in Thai food products during COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the safe manufacturing practices. Thai government has greatly stressed on the high standard manufacturing process of Thai food products. In 2020, the 4 government agencies have jointly signed an MOU on the compliance of COVID-19 Prevention Best Practice in food production for export, aiming to grant Certification of Compliance with COVID-19 to Thai business operators whose manufacturing practices meet the international standards.
Mr.Somdet Susomboon, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion revealed, “During COVID-19 pandemic, consumers take extra caution when purchasing food products, prioritizing the ingredient sources as well as reliable manufacturing practices. Hence, DITP has kicked off Thailand Deliver with Safety campaign in order to boost confidence and reassure the global trading partners and buyers that Thailand is the major source and the leading global exporter of the food products, including raw materials, agricultural products, vegetables and fruits, ready to eat food, frozen food and halal food. This is to ensure that Thai food manufacturers utilize advanced technology and global standard from manufacturing, packing to shipping. Consumers all around the world trust that Thai food products are safe from COVID-19 as Thai government has successfully kept the situation under control.
In 2020, the Minister of Commerce, Minister of Public Health, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Minister of Interior signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on jointly ensuring the compliance of COVID-19 Prevention Best Practice in food products for export. The Department of Fisheries would issue this Certificate to Thai seafood business operators. The certification of compliance on COVID-19 Prevention Best Practice is issued on a voluntary basis. At present, the Department of Fisheries has granted the Certificates for 72 factories of chilled, frozen seafood and canned seafood factories, consisting of one in Ayutthaya, one in Pathum Thani, one in Chonburi, 32 in Samut Sakhon, 8 in Songkhla, one in Trang, one in Phetchaburi, 4 in Surat Thani, 3 in Ranong, 2 in Chumporn, one in Bangkok, one in Phang Nga, one in Chachoengsao, 5 in Samut Prakan, 5 in Rayong, 2 in Nakhon Pathom, one in Satun, one in Kanchanaburi and one in Phuket. This certification would create a positive image and boost confidence for global trading partners and overseas importers."
Despite the economy contraction in 2020, the export of Thai agricultural and food products actually grew in the second half of the year, generating up to US $ 13,640.80 million (+ 1.40% year-on-year growth). The top five food exports from Thailand were 1. Fresh, chilled, frozen and dried vegetables and fruits 2. Fresh, chilled, canned and processed seafood (excluding fresh, chilled, frozen and processed shrimp) 3. Rice 4. Fresh, chilled, frozen and processed Chicken 5. Cassava products. It is speculated that more Thai food manufacturers would obtain the Certificate of COVID-19 Prevention Best Practice to meet the growing demands and retain the trust among the global market.
