As many agricultural product exporting countries, including Thailand, have been promoting
bio fuel production, a large proportion of grain (such as maize) and tuber (such as cassava), as well as sugarcane production, has been diverted toward gasohol and bio-diesel production – pushing the prices of animal feeds significantly upwards. Table 10 shows that the maize price has increased significantly, and the price of soybean price has also tended to rise. Although the impact of rising feed prices on the competitiveness of Thailand’s poultry sector is unclear – as this worldwide phenomenon could also affect competitors – it is very plausible that the growth rate of the sector will not be as strong as in the past.