Thailand plans to scrap levies and sharply expand its feed-corn import quota next year to make room for American supplies, part of its concessions in US trade negotiations.
The Thai government will raise the annual quota for feed-corn imports to one million tons, from 54,700 currently, while cutting the existing 20% in-quota tariff to zero, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said Tuesday.
The move will help Thailand meet its pledge to buy more US farm products in exchange for lower tariffs on its exports. Dropping import duties will also make corn from the US — the world’s largest supply source — more competitive against Southeast Asian producers that already enjoy duty-free access under a regional trade pact.
“The measure is to ensure Thailand has sufficient raw materials for domestic animal feed production and support the trade team’s proposals in the negotiations with the US,” Siripong told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
Imports of US corn will be permitted only between Feb. 1 and June 30 to avoid overlapping with Thailand’s main harvest in the final quarter and to protect local farmers. Feed mills will also be required to purchase three portions of locally grown corn for every one portion of imported supplies.
The policy shift follows Thailand’s decision to ban feed-corn imports from countries that use crop burning starting next year, in an effort to curb cross-border air pollution. That new rule is already expected to favor US shipments, as most of Thailand’s current corn imports come from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, where slash-and-burn farming remains common.
Earlier this year, the US — which is Thailand’s biggest export market — agreed to lower tariffs on Thai exports to 19% from a previously threatened 36%. That came after months of negotiations and Thailand’s promise to scrap import levies on about 99% of American goods.
A US-Thailand joint statement on the trade framework last month outlined preliminary commitments, including Thailand’s pledge to buy US agricultural products — including feed corn and soybean meal — valued at about $2.6 billion annually.
Thailand’s total feed demand is projected to rise to 21.8 million tons this year, up from 21.1 million tons in 2024, according to the feed mill industry’s estimates. About 60% of the country’s feed ingredients — mainly corn, soybean meal and wheat — are imported.
Separately on Tuesday, the Thai government has suspended a peace process with Cambodia that was a condition for tariff negotiations with US President Donald Trump, after Thai soldiers were injured in a land-mine blast near the border.
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