The Thai grains trade is expected to remain sluggish over the next week with importers not keen on buying with domestic poultry demand weak following new bird flu outbreaks, traders said on Tuesday.
Argentine high-protein soyameal was offered $2 down at $245 per tonne, cost and freight for November-December shipment on Tuesday from a week. Indian soyameal was steady at $237-238 and domestic soyameal, a major ingredient in poultry feed, was trading steady at 10,600 baht a tonne ($260).
"Trade has been sluggish for almost a month now. Most Feedmills are not keen on buying," said one trader. "They are taking a wait and see approach, worrying about bird flu." Fresh bird flu outbreaks have already hit domestic poultry consumption with the price plunging 13 percent over the past month. "Bird flu has had an impact.
The sale of chicken has dropped because many people are worried and avoid eating it," said Veeraphong Panchavathanakul, president of the Thai Broilers' Association.
Live chickens were selling at 35 baht a kg on Tuesday, down from a record 40 baht a month ago, following the death of Thailand's 13th bird flu victim, Veeraphong said.
The 48-year-old man died of the disease last month after he slaughtered an infected chicken and ate it. His son also caught it, but is now healthy after spending a few days in hospital. On Monday, the government said a 50-year-old woman had tested positive for bird flu, the 20th person to have caught the deadly disease since it hit the country two years ago and the third this year.