Thailand suspends egg exports to safeguard domestic supply amid COVID-19 outbreak

Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-26 19:13:13|Editor: Liu
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BANGKOK, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit on Thursday announced the suspension of egg exports for seven days to safeguard domestic supply during the COVID-19 outbreak.

"In Thailand, we can produce about 40 million chicken eggs per day, but as a result of hoarding and panic buying amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, we are experiencing shortage of eggs now," Jurin said.

Hence, the ministry issued an announcement to temporarily ban chicken egg exports for seven days, effective on Thursday.

The ban will be extended if eggs are still in short of supply, he added.

The Ministry of Commerce has already informed the Department of Livestock Development to ensure the implementation of the ban on egg exports.

The minister also said that would control the egg prices to remain around 3.30 -3.50 baht per egg and would take legal action against shops selling eggs in scarce supply at inflated prices.

Violators will face a maximum of seven years in jail and/or a maximum fine of 140,000 baht (4,285 U.S. dollars).

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