Betagro to increase chicken production by 40%

Thailand’s Betagro Group plans to increase chicken product output by 40% in 2010, with some of the increase going to the conglomerate’s new export markets of Spain and South Africa, according to the Bangkok Post. The company aims to increase its total chicken exports from 46,000 tonnes in 2009 to 54,000 tonnes in 2010.

Betagro plans to meet this goal through a new processed foods plant in Lop Buri province, Thailand, by increasing its production of processed chicken at its Ajinomoto Betagro Frozen Foods facility from 10,000 metric tons to 15,000 metric tons, and by adding 30,000 broilers weekly to its hatchery farms operated by BFI Broiler Farm Co., the newspaper reported.

"This year, we are focusing on southern Europe, especially Spain, where market potential is strong,” said Sanon Liawpairoj, commercial director for Betagro’s poultry business.