Thailand plans to export Up to 1.2 mln head of cattle to China annually

Thailand is preparing to launch large-scale seaborne exports of live cattle to China, with shipments expected to reach up to 1.2 million head per year. According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Chai Watcharong, negotiations with China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) on veterinary and sanitary requirements are nearing completion, with only four key issues remaining to be resolved.

To support the project, Thailand plans to establish an international-standard quarantine facility at Bang Saphan Port. Chinese authorities require crossbred cattle weighing at least 450 kg, targeting the country’s premium chilled beef market.

The Thai government expects to dispatch the first shipment within the next year. Officials believe the project will strengthen the country’s beef industry, expand its presence in the global market, and increase incomes for local livestock producers.

China remains one of the world’s largest beef importers, purchasing about 2.7 million tonnes annually, equivalent to roughly 13.5 million head of cattle with an average weight of 500 kg. Currently, about 41% of these imports consist of frozen beef supplied by Brazil, while Thailand aims to secure a share of the market through live cattle exports.

Tags: China, Thailand, Beef cattle