May 18, 2004

Thai Associations Urge Government To Remove 5% Soybean Meal Import Tax

Ten Thai livestock-related associations Monday urged the government to remove a 5% soybean meal import tax to help farmers in the industry suffering from high feed meal prices, the president of the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand Surachai Sutthitham said.
 
Soybean meal prices rose to around 14 to 15 baht a kilogram ($1=THB40.863), up from around THB9-THB10/kg recently, said Surachai, who represents the 10 associations, after meeting with the government's sub-committee on feed meal.
 
"Removal of soybean meal import tariff will help farmers reduce their cost...for live hogs, for example, cost will decline by THB60 each hog to around THB50/kg," Surachai said.
 
Farmgate price of hogs is currently at around THB52/kg.
 
Thailand imported around 2.1 million metric tons of soybean meal worth around THB19 billion in 2003.