Malaysia has officially approved the import of Thai beef, marking a significant opportunity for Thailand’s livestock industry, Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat announced on Tuesday.
Following the first meeting of the Cattle Beef Development Policy Committee for 2025, Narumon stated that this decision will provide Thai cattle farmers with increased income. Malaysia’s Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) informed Thailand’s Agriculture Ministry on January 16 about the approval.
However, she emphasized that Thai beef exporters must first register with the DVS and obtain certification before shipping products to Malaysia.
Narumon also revealed her upcoming visit to China, where she will accompany Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from Wednesday to Saturday. During this trip, she plans to negotiate for China to allow the import of live Thai cattle, further expanding market opportunities for Thai farmers.
Additionally, the committee has decided to seek emergency government funding to purchase vaccines to protect cattle against foot-and-mouth disease.
According to official data, Thailand had 9.904 million cattle in 2024, a 2.58% increase from the previous year. The country exported 133,416 live cattle, generating 3.242 million baht in revenue. At the same time, Thailand imported 35 tonnes of beef in 2024, reflecting a 38.34% rise compared to 2023.
