Tilapia exports to be promoted

       The Fishery Department plans to launch a three-year strategic plan to promote the tilapia - known in Thailand as pla nil - as a new export item.The plan, to be implemented from 2010 to 2012, aims at upgrading tilapia farms to international standards and increasing production to about 300,000 tonnes a year, of which 50,000 tonnes would be exported to Japan, Europe,the United States and the Middle East.
       Tilapia has become a popular aquaculture product as health concerns have increased demand for white rather than red fish meat.
       Improving tilapia farming is part of the government's Strong Thailand strategy of investing in various industries to enhance production facilities, said Jirawan Yamprayoon, a deputy directorgeneral of the department.
       The department is expected to receive a budget of about 380 million baht from the Strong Thailand scheme to run the tilapia project.
       The department will meet with farmers, exporters and related parties on Thursday before drafting strategic plans for the tilapia industry, said Dr Jirawan.
       Co-operation contracts, including contract farming for the Thai Frozen Food Association to supply quality tilapia for export, are being opened to interested parties. The first agreement covers farmers in Chon Buri and members of the association.
       The export market for tilapia has been very competitive in recent years due largely to lower-priced products from China and Vietnam, said Poj Aramwattananont, honorary adviser to the Thai Frozen Food Association.
       To avoid a price war with these two countries, Thai processors should focus on the premium market, where Indonesia is a key player, shipping processed fish,fillets or tailored meat rather than raw frozen fish. To compete in export markets,farmers should increase yields and ensure the flesh of their tilapia has no muddy smell, he said.
       Tilapia have been raised in many provinces. The average yield per rai is 490 kilogrammes.