Thailand Enhances Beef and Cattle Exports with Focus on Chinese Market
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives intensifies efforts to export Thai beef and live cattle amid rising regional demand.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand is advancing its negotiations for the export of Thai beef and live cattle to China, following its recent success in opening beef exports to Malaysia.
Agriculture and Cooperative Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat announced this initiative during the Beef Cattle–Buffalo and National Product Development Policy Committee meeting held on February 6, 2025.
The ministry aims to promote the export of live cattle and beef products to China, which is currently under review by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC).
This follows the confirmation on January 16 by the Department of Livestock Development that beef exports from Thailand to Malaysia have been approved according to mutually agreed terms.
Malaysian veterinary authorities have requested Thai companies to complete registration applications as they await further certification.
Minister Pinyosinwat highlighted aspirations to position beef cattle and products among Thailand's top agricultural exports, aiming for the country to emerge as a significant player in the global beef market.
In 2024, the population of beef cattle in Thailand reached 9.9 million, showing a growth of 2.58% from 9.6 million in 2023. The country exported 133,416 live cattle in 2024, with a market value of 3.2 billion baht, reflecting a considerable increase of 53.10% from 2023, where 87,144 cattle were exported.
The primary export market for these live cattle was Vietnam, constituting 43.64% of the total, followed by Malaysia (28.64%) and Laos (27.34%).
In terms of beef and beef product exports, Thailand shipped a total of 656,000 tonnes in the previous year, of which processed beef accounted for 99.8%, while fresh frozen beef constituted 0.2%.
The total export value of these products reached 99.05 million baht, though this represents a decrease of 24.6% from the 870,000 tonnes exported in 2023. Processed beef was exclusively exported to Japan, whereas fresh frozen beef was sent to Myanmar (49%), Laos (46%), and Cambodia (5%).
The ministry expressed optimism that the recent opening of beef exports to Malaysia would bolster the overall export value of beef products this year.
In addition, Thailand's buffalo production statistics indicate a total production of 80,826 tonnes in the last year, marking a 2.09% increase compared to 2023. The kingdom's buffalo population stands at approximately 1.8 million.
Agriculture and Cooperative Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat announced this initiative during the Beef Cattle–Buffalo and National Product Development Policy Committee meeting held on February 6, 2025.
The ministry aims to promote the export of live cattle and beef products to China, which is currently under review by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC).
This follows the confirmation on January 16 by the Department of Livestock Development that beef exports from Thailand to Malaysia have been approved according to mutually agreed terms.
Malaysian veterinary authorities have requested Thai companies to complete registration applications as they await further certification.
Minister Pinyosinwat highlighted aspirations to position beef cattle and products among Thailand's top agricultural exports, aiming for the country to emerge as a significant player in the global beef market.
In 2024, the population of beef cattle in Thailand reached 9.9 million, showing a growth of 2.58% from 9.6 million in 2023. The country exported 133,416 live cattle in 2024, with a market value of 3.2 billion baht, reflecting a considerable increase of 53.10% from 2023, where 87,144 cattle were exported.
The primary export market for these live cattle was Vietnam, constituting 43.64% of the total, followed by Malaysia (28.64%) and Laos (27.34%).
In terms of beef and beef product exports, Thailand shipped a total of 656,000 tonnes in the previous year, of which processed beef accounted for 99.8%, while fresh frozen beef constituted 0.2%.
The total export value of these products reached 99.05 million baht, though this represents a decrease of 24.6% from the 870,000 tonnes exported in 2023. Processed beef was exclusively exported to Japan, whereas fresh frozen beef was sent to Myanmar (49%), Laos (46%), and Cambodia (5%).
The ministry expressed optimism that the recent opening of beef exports to Malaysia would bolster the overall export value of beef products this year.
In addition, Thailand's buffalo production statistics indicate a total production of 80,826 tonnes in the last year, marking a 2.09% increase compared to 2023. The kingdom's buffalo population stands at approximately 1.8 million.
