Mr.Somdet Susomboon, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has led consumers worldwide to unprecedented concerns over their health and well-being. Meanwhile, DITP has launched numerous campaigns to boost the potential of Thai Halal food producers in the international export market including creating the brand image of Halal products and services as well as holding promotional activities for Halal products in the target countries. Thai Halal food can reassure Muslim consumers with the manufacturing practices that are strictly adhered to the Islamic principles on ingredients, production, cultivation and employee practices to ensure the food meets halal criteria. Thai Halal food is monitored and certified by the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand (CICOT).
In addition, for reassuring consumers and building trust among trade partners worldwide, DITP joins forces with partner organizations both public and private sectors in fortifying safety measures in food manufacturing, by launching the COVID-19 Prevention Measures for manufacturers, exporters, business operators, raw material suppliers, as well as logistics operators to strictly comply with the standard guidelines for export. Under these safety measures, business operators and suppliers in ingredient shipping from ships or piers must intensify their effort to reduce the risk of contamination from ingredients and containers. Manufacturers must implement strict quality and safety controls throughout the production line, from receiving ingredients from ships and piers, storing in a chilled room, processing, packing as well as maintaining preventive measures for transporting goods by cleaning and disinfecting the interior of the vehicle containers. To monitor personal hygiene, work environment from location and manufacturing building to sanitation system, manufacturers shall prioritize sanitation and strictly clean and disinfect the machinery, manufacturing buildings, floors, walls, as well as common areas which are prone to contact as deemed appropriate. As for personal hygiene of workers, workers need to be trained to protect themselves from COVID-19 and maintain safety practices during operation.
Along with these supervisory measures, DITP proceeds to boost confidence among trade partners through the "Thailand Delivers with Safety" campaign to ensure that manufacturers, exporters, business operators, ingredient suppliers, as well as logistics operators strictly follow COVID-19 Prevention Measures in every procedure. The objective is to retain trust among buyers and trade partners around the world, reinforcing Thailand's potential as the major food manufacturer with advanced manufacturing technology that meets international standards and strict employees' personal hygiene practices from sourcing ingredients, harvesting, transporting, packaging to delivering at the consumers' doorstep," affirmed Mr. Somdet.
In terms of the market direction for Halal food export in 2021, Thailand's export to OIC countries is expected to reach approximately 122,087.61 million baht in total, growing 3% from 118,531.66 million baht in 2020. Thailand is the major exporter for high quality Halal food products, widely in high demand among domestic consumers across the global market, including chicken, shrimp, canned tuna, rice, fresh and dried fruits fresh, chilled and frozen vegetables, snacks, instant food, frozen food, ready to eat food, cosmetics, fashion, etc. The top product exports to OIC countries are rice, sugar, canned and processed seafood, cassava products, canned and processed fruits, respectively
Halal food market is a large market that has a high purchasing power, with the global market value of approximately 1.2 trillion USD. Thailand champions with its competitive advantage in logistics and continues to offer a vast variety of products that meet consumer demands. At present, there are about 5,000 Halal certified companies in Thailand, with more than 160,000 Halal certified products (derived from the Central Islamic Council of Thailand).
Currently, Thailand has the opportunity to join other exporters of halal food in OIC countries as the 13th world's largest exporter. The world's top exporters are China, the United States, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, India, Belgium, Brazil, United Kingdom, Canada, Indonesia and Thailand, respectively.
Source: Integrated Communication