Betagro starts up first feed mill in Phnom Penh

Betagro says the official opening of the new feed mill also helps strengthen the group’s brand image and acceptance in the animal-feed industry. The group’s first and only feed mill abroad, it is located in Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ).
The grand opening was presided over by Dr Ouk Rabun, Cambodia’s minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and Thai Ambassador Nuttavudh Photisaro, together with distinguished guests representing Cambodia and Thailand.
“Cambodia has high potential in agro industry,” Betagro president Vasit Taepaisitphongse said. “The country’s overall feed market needs approximately 600,000 tonnes per year and tends to increase dramatically. For this reason, the group has constructed and opened a new feed mill in an attempt to meet market demand and respond to the group’s livestock production in Cambodia.
“The new feed mill uses innovative construction technology and is fully equipped with state-of-the-art manufacturing-process and quality standards, with great attention to occupational health and environmental management on a par with standards being used by Betagro feed business units in Thailand.
“The group has invested around US$30 million [Bt1 billion] in the construction of the new facility, which has a production capacity of 216,000 tonnes per year. It [will produce] high-quality feed for all terrestrial animals such as pigs, laying hens, broiler chickens, laying ducks, native chickens and cattle under the brands Be-lac, Betagro, Bio and Balance.
“Betagro plans to expand its feed-production base to cover and respond to growing feed markets, domestically and in AEC neighbouring countries,” Vasit said, referring to the Asean Economic Community. “Part of this is to encourage brand building and greater market acceptance.
“Today, Betagro has around 200 feed customers across Cambodia. We plan to expand our market opportunities by adding a new feed brand, Farm, for customers who are operating larger and mid-sized farms.
“Betagro’s success factors for doing feed business in Cambodia include its long-established business partnership with local farmers and commitment to compliance to laws and regulations in every country we operate.
“Additionally, we have performed a market analysis and consumer-behaviour study in order to operate in a way that is truly relevant to the market environment and requirements. Moreover, we have constantly equipped local farmers and feed distributors with technical knowledge to ensure they achieve sustainable growth.”
Guests at the feed mill’s grand opening included Chea Vuthy, deputy secretary-general of the Cambodian Investment Board and Cambodian Special Economic Zone Board; Lok Chumteav Lim Chhiv Ho, PPSEZ chairwoman; and Jiranun Wongmongkol, minister counsellor (commercial) of the Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy, Phnom Penh.
Members of the management from Betagro Group also participated. Besides Vasit, these included Dr Chaivat Taepaisitphongse, the group’s chairman; Vanus Taepaisitphongse, chief executive officer; and Dr Narongchai Srisantisaeng, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Betagro Group has been doing business in Cambodia for more than 10 years with exports of feed for terrestrial and aquatic animals. The feed was initially supplied by feed mills in Thailand.
In 2008, Betagro (Cambodia) Company was established and officially registered to operate feed business in that country under the supervision of Betagro Group in Thailand.
In addition to the newly opened feed mill, the group operates parent stock farms (swine and laying chickens), contract farming (fattening pigs), broiler farms, and pullet farms, as well as Betagro Shop outlets in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.