Bangkok Ranch

BANGKOK RANCH

DEDICATED DUCK DEALS

BANGKOK RANCH

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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.”

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