Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has extended the enforcement period of the Saudi GAP (Generalized System of Action) standard for Thai poultry farms, slaughterhouses, and processing plants until March 17, 2027. This move facilitates the continued export of Thai poultry under specified conditions, aiming to mitigate business impacts and maintain export continuity.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, announced that the Saudi Arabian government has accepted Thailand's proposal, allowing Thai poultry farms currently undergoing Saudi GAP certification to continue exporting. This extension provides businesses time to prepare before the full implementation of the measures, thus minimizing the impact on Thai exports.
The Saudi GAP standards require additional assessments and certifications for exporting poultry farms. Recent discussions confirmed that Thai farms currently seeking certification can continue to export using import licenses issued before the measures came into effect. This development is credited to the continuous efforts of the National Agricultural and Food Standards Office (NAFS) and the Department of Livestock Development, who engaged in bilateral discussions with Saudi Arabia and participated in World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade. These efforts, along with diplomatic coordination, resulted in the relaxation of measures and the extension of the enforcement period.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives emphasized its commitment to opening markets for Thai agricultural products and food while addressing trade barriers in collaboration with trading partners. This strategy aims to create new opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs in the global market.
While Thailand is projected to export approximately 100 tons of chicken meat to Saudi Arabia in 2025, valued at around 8 million baht, Saudi Arabia remains a significant importer of poultry meat, with an average import volume of over 570,000 tons per year. It also acts as a gateway to the Middle Eastern market, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which have a growing demand for imported food. Therefore, the relaxation of measures not only helps maintain existing markets but also opens opportunities for expanding Thai exports to the Middle Eastern market in the long term.