BANGKOK RANCH
DEDICATED DUCK DEALS
BANGKOK RANCH
I
PROFILE
Dedicated duck deals Following a difficult pandemic period, Bangkok Ranch is busier than ever. CEO, Vice Chairman & Executive Director Joseph Suchaovanich explained more, in an exclusive interview with Inside Food & Drink. Report by Imogen Ward.
F
ollowing several years of hardship,
to Asia for trade,” said Joseph Suchaovanich.
Bangkok Ranch Plc (BR Group) is back
“So, we foresee a lot of opportunity for invest-
on track and doing better than ever.
ment and trade coming our way.”
“2020 and 2021 were especially difficult, and
that sentiment was felt by many businesses
Today, the business runs from two key locations situated in Thailand and the Netherlands.
worldwide,” CEO, Vice Chairman & Executive
The company’s Thailand base holds a
Director Joseph Suchaovanich said. “However,
significant proportion of the Thai duck meat
post-Covid, not only did we return to normal,
market. BR Group operates with an in-house
but we are doing better than before. 2022 and
feed mill, Grand Parent Stock Farm, several
2023 ended with positive results, and 2024 is
parent stock farm, hatcheries, in-house com-
predicted to achieve the same.”
mercial farms and two slaughterhouses, as
Bangkok Ranch has been on the market
well as valued added processing foods plant.
since 1984. The company, which is now pre-
Established in 1984, Bangkok Ranch became
paring to celebrate its 40th anniversary, was
an early pioneer in the duck meat industry
established by Joseph Suchaovanich and his
in Thailand, before merging with Nether-
father, Suchao Suchaovanich.
land-based Tomassen Duck-To in 2007,
“The last 40 years have been a journey, and
Mr Gertjan Tomassen is fully handling all
we are looking forward to what the future
European duck business and operations.
brings. With the current global economy quite
Tomassen Duck-To has its own in-house parent
uncertain – due to conflicts between Ukraine
stock farms, a hatchery farm and a fully auto-
and Russia, plus wars in the Middle East – an
mated slaughterhouse based nearby, plus
increasing number of companies are looking
a valued added food processing plant. As one
134 INSIDE SUSTAINABILITY
INSIDE SUSTAINABILITY 135
BANGKOK RANCH
I
PROFILE
of the largest duck meat exporters in Europe,
Pet food perfection
BR-Tomassen is successful in upholding BR
With its products in high demand, Bangkok
Group’s stellar reputation.
Ranch recently decided to branch out into
Known for being the world’s most reputable
a new area of the market. Determined to
purveyor of duck, BR Group offers a wide range
conquer the pet food segment, Bangkok
of chilled, frozen, raw, cooked and even RTE
Ranch has developed its own line of products
food. This portfolio is perfect for restaurants
perfect for any furry friend.
and the food services, catering and whole-
“The majority of our products are supplied
sale markets. As a prominent player in the
for human consumption; however, these often
global market, the company successfully
create a lot of byproducts that cannot be
processes more than 20 million ducks a year.
ingested by people,” Joseph Suchaovanich
136 INSIDE SUSTAINABILITY
explained. “With the pet food industry growing
The company’s product portfolio is just
rapidly over the past four years, this seemed
one aspect of the business that has seen sig-
like the perfect market to target, whilst also
nificant growth in recent years. BR Group has
successfully reducing our waste.”
also been busy expanding its global presence.
The new line features treats and chews (for both dogs and cats) made from duck neck,
Gradual growth step by step
wings, scrap meat, jerky and giblets. These
Having never served the Australian market
will be ready to market sometime in 2024.
previously, Bangkok Ranch successfully gained
“We are interested in expanding this area
approval from the Australian Government to
of the business further in the future,” said
export its goods into the country just last year.
Joseph Suchaovanich. “The varieties, value
“This has been a huge achievement for
and volume of pet food has increased sig-
us, and one that we have been working
nificantly over the last ten years, which has
towards for quite some time,” commented
contributed to better profit margins. We hope
Joseph Suchaovanich. “We have also recent-
this will continue in the future as well.”
ly gained approval to enter the Malaysian,
INSIDE SUSTAINABILITY 137
BANGKOK RANCH
I
PROFILE
Saudi Arabian and Canadian markets too, which is incredibly exciting.” Bangkok Ranch has a lot planned for these markets, and anticipates targeted SKUs be-
Bangkok Ranch has plans to further expand its presence in the Middle East as well, targeting Saudi Arabian, Dubai, UAE, Qatar and Oman.
ing released soon. “We have been a key supplier to many
Farm focused
markets over the years, including modern
Bangkok Ranch’s growth plans also target
trade, food services and traditional trade, and
the upstream expansion.
the domestic market,” Joseph Suchaovanich
“In past two year, we expensed and
continued. “Through the latter, we serve Japan,
acquired several farms to advance our
the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Singapore
goal to achieve more quantity volume of
and now, Malaysia. We have also served Laos,
live duck supplies by our own commercial
Cambodia and Korea for the past five years.”
farm,” continued Joseph Suchaovanich. “This
138 INSIDE FOOD & DRINK
is a common goal within the farming sector.
we need to spend more effort and hard work
Over the last ten years especially, the ag-
in the short term to make all happen,” Joseph
ricultural sector has continued to shrink as
Suchaovanich added, in conclusion. “There
younger generations turn away from their
have been a lot of points on this 40-year
farming roots. Livestock and poultry farming
journey that have been rocky, but we have
has been really affected, so more and more
always remained steady in our progress.
companies are establishing their own farms
“Now, looking forward, as long as we
to remove the reliance on external sources.
continue at this pace and remain focused
“In the long run, our performance will be-
on our expectations, then I am confident we
come more stable and will be improved, but
will achieve our goals.”
n
INSIDE FOOD & DRINK 139
www.bangkokranch.com