Food Industry Predictions for the Year 2000: Food Market Exchange

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Predictions for the Year 2000

THAILAND: PREDICTIONS FOR THE INDUSTRY'S SITUATION AND PROSPECTS IN THE YEAR 2000

Sally Achaya Subhapholsiri - Managing Director Food Industry Consultants Ltd - 21/51 Bangkoknoi, Talingchan Road, Bangkok Thailand 10700

ABSTRACT

After a decade of steady, and at times, phenomenal growth, the Thai tuna industry appears to have reached a plateau of maturity and sophistication. This paper points out current changes which indicate that the industry is headed for a second stage of development where the focus will be on quality versus quantity, and where new target markets will emerge.

I am greatly honoured to address this distinguished gathering but I also confess to being extremely terrified. In part, this is due to the fact that it is the first time I shall be formally presenting the business side of an industry that I have watched more closely from a technical standpoint. But there is always a first time. My other worries are the time constraint and the shoes I have to fill. I received very short notice that I will be taking the place of Dr Arporna Sribhibhadh, who gave an excellent analysis during the Tuna '93 Conference in Bangkok. Most of what he said at that time remains true to date so I shall just try to pick up from where he left off and provide you a view of where the Thai industry appears to be heading. I would like to do this through a list of predictions -- a look through the crystal ball, so to speak -- on the industry's structure, raw material supply and trade, based on current trends.

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