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Introduction
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- Maize is a major cash crop for the Thai economy.
- The production of maize increased dramatically over a 20
year period from 1965 (1 million ton) to 1985 (4.2 million
ton) – due to land clearing.
- Since the mid 1980's annual production has remained
steady, fluctuating in a range 4 – 4.6 million ton.
- Local hybrid varieties have been developed as imported
ones can not adapt to local conditions.
- Hybrid seeds are popular with farmers who can take
advantage of the high yielding and drought tolerance
characteristics.
- GMO maize seed is not used in Thailand.
- Thailand for many years was a net exporter of maize.
However, in recent years this position has reversed, due
to rising demand from the livestock sector.
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Production areas
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North (52.2%); Central plains (21.8%); Northeast (16%),
unclassified (9.8%) – figures based on 1998/99 season.
Major provinces: Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai
Thani, Lob Buri, Saraburi, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok,
Loei, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Prachin Buri
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Utilization
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- Maize is mainly used for animal feed, some is kept for
seed.
- In animal feed, maize accounts for 60-65% of the ration
for broiler feed and 25-30% for swine feed.
- Total feed production in 1999 was 8.5 milion tons
- About 70 commercial feed mills collectively account for
almost 80% of the domestic feed production.
- Livestock producers are increasingly buying maize to mix
their own feed.
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Domestic demand
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- Domestic demand for maize is the same as production
about 4.3 million tons.
- Domestic consumption is expected to increase in
1999/2000 by 4-5%, driven by an anticipated demand for
broiler meat and recovery in the hog industry.
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International trade
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- A small amount of maize is traded to ensure supply for
the domestic market. This buffer stock is necessary
given that production matches demand.
- About 100,000 tons are usually imported as a safety
stock. Exports should be in this range.
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Trends/ recent news
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- The maize crop in 1998/99 was about 4.3 million tons, a
16% increase from the previous season.
- Much of the increase was accounted for by expansion in
the planting area as farmers switched crops.
- Planting area contraction occurred in the 1999/2000
season.
- This was due to farmers switching from corn to cassava
or sugar cane. The changes were driven by lower
maize prices in the 1998/99 season.
- Despite reduction in the planted area, the crop for the
1999/2000 season is forecast to be about 4.0 million tons.
- Due to unexpected events late in 1999, crop estimates
for the 1999/2000 season are thought to be inaccurate.
This sudden introduction of uncertainty has left the
feedmills in a position of not being able to predict
supply.
- Feedmills have competed in recent months for local corn,
this has driven-upward, the domestic corn price from Bt
252-258 /picul (US$ 108-110/ton) in September to the
current Bt 306-318 /picul (US$ 130-136/ton).
- Based on the outlook for domestic consumption and
production, the estimate of total imports in 1999/2000 is
suggested to be 300,000 tons.
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[Broilers] [Maize] [Cassava] [Rice] [Fruit
& vegetables] [Mango] [Tomato]
[Baby corn] [Longan][Thai
agrifood] [Food
industry] [Agriculture]
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