June 27, 2006

Thailand set target to increase the consumption of pork

Corn and animal feed imports into Thailand may enjoy a tax reduction if negotiations between the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand and the Internal Trade Department are successful.

The negotiation would be part of an effort to boost pork consumption in Thailand as current consumption has fallen below expected levels, Surachai Sutthitham, President of the Swine Raisers Association, said.

The Swine Raisers Association is working with the Livestock Department to stimulate the consumption from 13.9 kg a person a year to 15 kg a person annually.

Surachai said various campaigns would be launched to get Thais to eat more pork, including menus issued to the public extolling the benefits of eating pork.

However, Surachai foresees that swine raisers may face a shortage of feed once consumption has risen and has thus proposed tax relief for imports of corn and animal feed. 

Surachai added that corn acreage has fallen in Thailand in recent years as farmers switching to cultivaing cassava in accordance to the country's policies favouring energy-rich crops.