Key facts about the industry 2000-2013

Source: adapted the Office of Agricultural Statistics (2014).

⁴ The cattle meat production figures were calculated from reports on number of cattle slaughtered. Average carcass weight is 144 kg/head.

       HIGHLIGHTS

• Cattle, mostly South Eastern provinces of Thailand, are widely raised by small holders in mixed cattle-crop systems.
• The predominant breeds are Thai native cattle, and crossbreds including Tak and Kabinburi. The number of commercial feedlots is small (1%).
• The Thai government has implemented a number of important programs to improve breeds and become more self-sufficient and cut beef imports.
• Beef production in Thailand serves for high value, mid value and generic value beef markets.
• Beef production in Thailand has not been able to meet the domestic consumption.
• Thailand is a net exporter of live cattle, and a transit country for cattle movement in the Mekong region.
• Unofficial imports of live cattle from Myanmar, and unofficial exports to Cambodia and Laos have reportedly increased in the past years in response to a growing demand from Vietnam and China.