March 25, 2024

Thai Feed Mill-USSEC MoU pushes for sustainable sourcing of feed ingredients in Thailand

The Thai Feed Mill Association (TFMA) and the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding to support and advance sustainable sourcing practices for feed ingredients in Thailand.

The MoU aims to establish a sustainable and dependable supply chain for soybeans, soybean meal and soy products for the Thai feed milling community.

Thailand ranks as the world's third largest chicken meat exporter, contributing to growth in domestic animal feed production. Total feed demand is also expected to increase by 4.5% from 2024 to 2029, with the growing call for more sustainable sourcing in the country.

The MoU, which was signed at a ceremony in Bangkok, will drive TFMA's sustainability initiatives through knowledge sharing on sustainability and services including the US Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP), which verifies the sustainability of US soy products for animal feed uses. This also includes the sharing of technical expertise and best practices in sustainable agricultural practices, environmental conservation, supply chain transparency and the latest sustainability advancements, while emphasising the role of US soy as a source of sustainable protein.

Additionally, the MoU will support the adoption and alignment of sustainability metrics and reporting mechanisms with global standards, further bolstering TFMA's sustainable feed and animal production practices.

Jim Sutter, chief executive officer of USSEC, said: "This year marks 30 years of collaboration between US Soy and Thailand, making the signing of this MoU with TFMA even more significant as USSEC continues to develop strong and enduring relationships between the US and Thailand. As the demand for sustainably sourced products continues to grow in Thailand, we look forward to collaborating with TFMA to pave the way for a resilient future in Thailand's agriculture sector."

Pornsil Patchrintanakul, president of TFMA, said: "Thailand's animal feed producers are committed to transitioning towards green production and strengthening their operations to deliver environmentally friendly products. This MoU will bolster the sustainable sourcing initiatives of our members, ensuring that Thailand's food exports can compete globally, while overcoming challenges in the traceability of raw materials for animal feed. Through our collaboration with USSEC, we aim to enhance the competitiveness of the Thai feed milling industry while advancing our sustainability goals."

Timothy Loh, regional director of SEA and Oceania at USSEC, said: "We have developed an incredibly successful and mutually beneficial relationship with the Thai agriculture industry over the past three decades. This MoU with TFMA marks another remarkable milestone in our commitment to promoting sustainable practices while highlighting the environmental advantages of US soy. We look forward to sharing our trade and technical expertise with the Thai feed milling community, facilitating knowledge transfer processes to enhance the local feed industry and align with Thailand's vision for economic growth."

- USSEC