Thai Feed Industry Urges Government to Finalize 2027 Import Policy

Key summary

The Thai Feed Mill Association has issued an urgent appeal to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun, who chairs the Maize Policy and Management Committee. The association requests an immediate meeting to finalize the import policy for wheat and feed maize for 2027 under the existing 3:1 measure. This call follows three previous letters from the Thai Federation of Livestock and Aquaculture, which represents 20 member associations including the Thai Feed Mill Association. The industry warns that delays could cause severe raw material shortages, disrupt factory production, and increase costs due to planning lead times of three to six months. Currently, deliveries of domestically produced feed maize have declined despite the ongoing harvest season, forcing manufacturers to use reserve stocks. Additionally, some manufacturers have placed advance orders for wheat for January 2027, which could face port delays if new measures are not approved before current regulations expire. The association cites a similar disruption in early 2026 involving imported soybeans held at ports, noting that demurrage charges can reach approximately THB1 million per vessel per day. A timely decision is urged to allow manufacturers to plan purchases and avoid costly disruptions.