Investment/Betagro expansion in ASEAN

Editorial staff

SET-listed Betagro Plc (BTG), the country’s leading integrated food company, is building on the success of its integrated agro-industrial and food business by establishing a foundation for food security in the ASEAN region.

The company is committed to delivering food that meets the highest safety standards, superior quality, and taste at fair prices through sustainable production. The goal is to create quality products from upstream to downstream, expanding distribution channels for meat products and processed foods to modern retail stores and Betagro shops, while raising brand awareness among consumers. This effort aligns with the booming tourism industry, aiming for a growth of over 22% in BTG's international business revenue in 2024.

Worrawut Vanitkulbodee, BTG’s chief operating officer - international business, said that Betagro has set its international business strategy for 2024, focusing on expanding its business in ASEAN countries.

This strategy reinforces Betagro's position as Thailand's leading integrated food company, dedicated to enriching people’s lives with better food. The company is working towards building a robust food industry foundation, covering the entire supply chain in Cambodia and the Lao PDR, which are the main revenue-generating countries for the international business group.

Worrawut Vanitkulbodee

The company plans to operate its business in Laos, where it currently has 135 farms for pigs and poultry, selling fattening pig, broiler, and layer hen, and 4 Betagro shops.

Recently, the company has invested 650 million baht to build the first Betagro feed mill in Laos, driven by modern technology, including a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) that helps analyze raw materials and animal feed to ensure the quality and safety of animal feed production.

The mill has an annual production capacity of 108,000 tons to meet growing demand and improve cost management, reducing the import of animal feed from Thailand. At the same time, the company is focusing on building the Betagro brand by selling pork, chicken, processed foods, and expanding distribution channels through kiosks, modern trade such as Big C Supermarkets, and expanding its customer base of food service providers.

In Cambodia, Betagro currently has one feed mill in Phnom Penh, 425 pig and poultry farms, and 6 Betagro Shops. The company is driving its business with the following strategies:

1) "Agro Total Solution" to deliver integrated agribusiness by restructuring the sales team to meet the needs of presenting animal feed, veterinary medicines and supplements, and integrated farm equipment businesses.

2) Expand into the midstream business by offering integrated chicken and pork slaughterhouse services.

3) Adjust the product portfolio to increase the proportion of meat products and processed foods under Betagro brand through various distribution channels.

4) Expand the customer base of food service providers such as restaurants and hotels to support the positive factors of tourism recovery.

In Myanmar, the company has been operating in the form of a joint venture with local partners. Myanmar is one of the attractive ASEAN markets, but the situation needs to be closely monitored and continuous research is needed to conduct business with caution and the utmost consideration. In addition, the company is looking for growth opportunities by expanding its business into new countries in the future.

"In our international business expansion, Betagro focuses on building a strong foundation for the food industry from upstream to downstream to deliver quality and safe products that meet international standards to all consumers. We continuously invest in technology to enhance management, reduce costs, increase productivity, and develop the skills and expertise of our personnel to create jobs and generate income for local people. We also join forces with partners through business networks in all sectors to drive growth and create food security for sustainable life in the ASEAN region. We expect the international business to achieve revenue growth of over 22% in 2024," Mr Worrawut said.