Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved the continued import of high-protein soybean meal and fishmeal from 2026 to 2028, a decision aimed at stabilizing animal feed costs and enhancing the competitiveness of the Thai livestock sector.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ayrin Phanrit, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced that the Cabinet has agreed to the policy guidelines and measures for importing animal feed raw materials for the specified period. This decision, proposed by the Food Policy Committee, is intended to ensure that Thailand's livestock and animal feed industries have sufficient and stable access to competitive raw materials in the global market. The country's production of soybean meal and fishmeal is limited and cannot meet the demands of livestock and aquaculture, necessitating the annual import of these materials.
The Cabinet's approval includes a three-year import policy for soybean meal under the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework. This policy allows a 2% tariff quota and grants access to 11 eligible importers, which includes associations such as the Animal Feed Manufacturers Association and the Poultry and Swine Raisers Association. The policy also incorporates the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) with a 0% tariff, while countries outside the agreement face a 6% tariff plus a special fee of 2,519 baht per ton. Importers must purchase domestically produced soybean meal at a specified minimum price to support local soybean oil extraction plants and farmers.
As for fishmeal, the existing import regulations remain unchanged. Fishmeal with protein content below 60% requires an import permit, whereas fishmeal with 60% or more protein content can be imported without quantity restrictions under free trade agreements. Most imports are subject to tariffs ranging from 0% to 5%, with exceptions for countries outside the agreements, which can impose tariffs up to 15%. The government believes this policy will stabilize the Thai animal feed industry, ensure adequate raw materials, and maintain fair prices for farmers, aligning with the country's "Stability, Prosperity, and Sustainability" food strategy.