THAILAND has extended the zero-tariff maize import period until 31 August, as Thailand’s stricter import regulations led to raw material shortages, according to the Myanmar Economic Counsellor to Bangkok, citing the Royal Thai Government.

The Royal Thai Government decided to extend the maize import period to 31 August 2026 under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) to tackle raw material shortages faced by domestic animal feed mills. The zero-tariff import period was earlier set from 1 February to 30 June.

The decision was approved at a Thai Cabinet meeting held on 18 June, 2026, in Meeting Room 501, Building 1, Government House, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mr Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. This action follows the Cabinet’s approval of the proposal made at the Maize Policy and Management Committee’s meeting 1/2569 held on 11 June.

To combat severe cross-border PM2.5 pollution, the Thai government is strictly enforcing a new environmental policy that restricts crop entry exclusively to burn-free maize.

Stricter regulations result in a significant decline in maize imports from neighbouring countries, including Myanmar, leading to domestic raw material shortages in Thailand. Thailand’s maize harvest season starts in September, and large quantities (approximately 80.69 per cent of total production, or about 4.04 million tonnes) will flow into the market.

Consequently, there is a demand gap during the interim months of July and August. Driven by a severe raw material shortage, the Myanmar Embassy, the Thai Trade Promotion Office in Yangon, and the Thai Feed Mills Association have jointly petitioned the Thai government to extend the feed import deadline to August to better align with current market conditions.

Following the Cabinet’s decision, the Ministry of Commerce and the Department of Foreign Trade will continue to issue the necessary procedures and regulations to facilitate trade.

NN/KK

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