June 3, 2025

Thailand breaks into Middle East animal feed market with first Saudi order of 20,000 tonnes of cassava

Thailand has entered the animal feed industry in the Middle East with initial orders of 20,000 tonnes of cassava from animal feed manufacturers in Saudi Arabia.

The trade started when a delegation from Thai Department of Foreign Trade, together with other Thai industry representatives, visited Riyadh and Jeddah last month to expand the export of Thai cassava products in the Middle East animal feed industry.

This initiative align with the policies of Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra and Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan aimed at accelerating the growth of the cassava export market, thereby enhancing trade and supporting cassava prices for farmers.

The trip was well-received in the Saudi market, where the delegation met with leading importers in the Saudi animal feed sector. Since animal feed manufacturers in Saudi Arabia are not familiar with incorporating cassava into their feed formulas, representatives from Suranaree University of Technology, experts in processing cassava for animal feed, were invited to join the delegation.

During discussions, the delegation explained the nutritional value of Thai cassava products and the benefits of using cassava in animal feed. This outreach interested several companies, including Al Sanabel Al Zahabiya Industrial, a major poultry and ruminant feed producer; Arabian Agricultural Services Company (ARASCO), the largest animal feed trader in the Middle East and North Africa; and United Feeds, a significant importer of animal feed ingredients. Together, these companies expressed interest in importing over 20,000 tonnes of cassava for testing in their feed formulas, with an estimated value of approximately 136 million baht. Further discussions will take place with Thai entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia to finalise prices, transportation methods, and direct product delivery, marking a promising beginning for Thai cassava products in the Middle Eastern market.

Arada Fuangthong, Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade emphasised that the it will continue to monitor the outcome of these negotiations, aiming to maximise the import of cassava products from Saudi Arabia. Thai cassava has a strong reputation for quality worldwide, and its outstanding nutritional value makes it an excellent substitute for other grains in the animal feed industry.

She concluded that the trading volume generated from the activities in Saudi Arabia is a positive indicator of the effectiveness of these initiatives, reflecting the policies of the Ministry of Commerce and the Department's mission to penetrate targeted markets. This is considered an important first step for the Thai cassava industry to move beyond traditional trade frameworks and enter new industries with significant potential.

Furthermore, expanding export channels will enhance the bargaining power of Thai entrepreneurs in global trade, instilling confidence in farmers and exporters that their products will find a strong market. This will positively impact the income of cassava farmers in the future.

-      Infoquest