Laotian province intends to export cattle to China
Cattle breeders in the Laotian province of Bokeo are eyeing China as their next market for livestock exports but further investments in the breeding herd are required, according to The Star newspaper. Currently, cattle farmers in the province are acting like middle-men between Thai cattle farms and Chinese buyers due to low quality and weight of indigenous breed. "Currently, five companies import over 5,000 head of cattle a month from Thailand for sale to China through Luang Namtha province. Our province could benefit from cattle farming for export to China because it’s a huge market, but we must invest more in our cattle farms to meet China’s quality standards and we need to raise a lot more cattle. China requires cows to weigh not less than 350kg, but the biggest animals we raise here weigh only 170kg to 180kg," said the Head of the Livestock and Fishery sector in Bokeo, Khammy Thilaphone.
Bokeo, the smallest Laotian province has 13 cattle farms with parent breeding stock of only 50 head. "The farms are in the process of upgrading their businesses to increase the number of cattle for export. They are also acquiring new breeding stock, including imported species," added Khammy Thilaphone. Last year, cattle and buffalo exports reached $227.7 million, more than double from the previous year, after the government decided to allow foreign and local entrepreneurs to invest in cattle farming. In 2019, the total number of livestock in Laos increased by 5.2% to hit 1.92 million.
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