From February 3rd through 9th, 2025, SMART Reproduction was honored to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Trade Mission (ATM) to Bangkok, Thailand. This mission, spearheaded by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), was designed to expand U.S. agricultural exports and strengthen trade relationships in Southeast Asia.
With nearly 40 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and representatives from five state departments of agriculture, this trade mission was an invaluable opportunity to connect with key players in Thailand’s growing agricultural market.
Why Thailand? A Strategic Trade Opportunity
Thailand presents a significant market for U.S. agricultural products. In 2023 alone, the United States exported $1.2 billion in agricultural goods to Thailand, making it its fifth-largest supplier. While bulk commodities, such as grains used in feed and food manufacturing, have historically dominated U.S. exports to Thailand, an increasing demand for high-quality, consumer-oriented products is shifting market trends. With a population of 70 million and a rising middle class, the Thai market is evolving, offering new opportunities for dairy, meat, and value-added agricultural products.
SMART Reproduction, which specializes in small ruminant export-qualified germplasm (semen and embryos), saw this mission as a strategic opportunity to introduce high-quality genetics and breeding solutions to a market hungry for premium sheep and goat production. By connecting with Thai and Burmese importers, learning about regional market conditions, and establishing new business relationships, we aimed to explore pathways for expanding the reach of U.S. sheep and goat genetics in Southeast Asia.
A Week of Productive Engagements
Packed with activities, this trade mission fostered business growth and international partnerships. During the week, our team participated in:
Business-to-Business (B2B) Meetings: These sessions provided an opportunity to meet with importers, distributors, and agribusiness stakeholders from Thailand and Burma. Through direct conversations, we gained insight into the market’s needs and explored how SMART Reproduction’s products and services could support the region’s livestock sector.
Market Briefings & Site Visits: USDA and regional trade professionals provided in-depth briefings on economic conditions, regulatory requirements, and consumer preferences. These insights were essential for understanding how to navigate the Thai market successfully.
Networking with Government Officials: Representatives from the Idaho, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Dakota departments of agriculture joined the mission, allowing for valuable discussions about agricultural trade policies and collaborative opportunities. By making these connections between private companies and state governments, solutions can be found that benefit the regional and national economies.
Exploring Distribution Channels: We explored potential partners for distribution and market entry strategies, identifying key players in Thailand’s rapidly expanding agribusiness sector.
SMART Reproduction’s Role in the Mission
As a leader in small ruminant reproductive technologies, SMART Reproduction was eager to showcase its expertise in dairy and meat goat semen and other genetic solutions tailored for livestock improvement. Thailand’s agricultural industry is advancing, increasing interest is in improving herd genetics to enhance milk production, meat quality, and overall livestock efficiency. CEO Brittany Scott and International Sales Representative Raphael Da Silva positioned SMART Reproduction as a trusted provider of cutting-edge genetic solutions by engaging with potential partners, importers, and industry leaders. Our discussions focused on:
- The benefits of high-quality U.S. sheep and goat genetics.
- Sustainable breeding practices and reproductive efficiency.
- How SMART Reproduction’s products and educational programs can contribute to improving dairy and meat goat production in Thailand and the surrounding regions.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The first leg of this trade mission laid the foundation for promising partnerships, but this is just the beginning. Over the next three blog posts, we will delve deeper into specific aspects of our experience in Thailand.
We are excited about the opportunities and look forward to strengthening our presence in the Thai market. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey in international agricultural trade!