BANGKOK, Nov 7 (TNA ) - Thailand hopes to export crocodile meat to China. The government plans to provide information on Thai crocodile products to the Chinese authorities, the Deputy Director-General of the Fisheries Department, Charanthada Kannasutra told TNA after meeting Chinese officials.

Thailand has asked China to allow Thai exports of crocodile meat as there a great demand for crocodile products in China, which are believed to be healthy and have aphrodisiac qualities.

Thailand's crocodile farms are highly developed and accepted internationally, said Ms. Charanthada.

With four main producers and small-scale farmers, Thailand produces more than a 100,000 crocodile a year.

Thailand currently exports most of its crocodile products to the European Union. Fresh crocodile meat fetches around 600 baht a kilogramme, while dried meat earns around 3,000 baht a kilogramme.

The government hopes to speed up the preparation of information on the risks in exporting crocodile meat to China before submiting it to Chinese officials for consideration.

Beijing will definitely open its markets to Thai crocodile exports, according to Ms. Charanthada.