China has approved imports of Thai chicken for the first time, with sales expected to top 7 billion baht a year - but it means consumers in Thailand will probably pay more.
Livestock Development Department director-general Aphai Sutthisang said on Wednesday the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China had issued certificates to seven processing plants in Thailand allowing them to export their products to China.
That would debut official exports of Thai chicken to China. He estimated exports from the seven plants would total at least 7 billion baht a year.
The department had invited Chinese officials to inspect 19 chicken processing plants. If all of them were approved the market could reach 20 billion baht a year, Mr Aphai said.
Deputy director-general Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, the department's official spokesman, said it was a milestone for the Thai chicken industry, but warned it means the domestic price of chicken will rise.
Exports to China would start late this month, with 15 container loads worth about 30 million baht.
The market was mainly southern China, through Guanlei port in Yunnan province, Mr Somchuan said.